Brown Patch Fungus: Environment Drives Disease, Not Mower Contamination

The Disease Triangle

Dr. Taft Eaker: Brown patch needs three legs—host (grass), pathogen (spores always in soil), environment. Change environment to prevent disease:

• Water deeply once weekly, morning.
• Stop fertilizing fescue in May.
• Fungicide spray (most expensive).

Mower might spread fungus in favorable environment but no effect where environment differs. No need to disinfect mower.