Does your dream lawn sometimes look more like a patchy, sickly mess than a vibrant green carpet? You water it, you mow it just right, but stubborn brown spots keep popping up. It is frustrating! These unwelcome guests are often lawn fungi, and they can quickly turn your hard work into a headache.
Choosing the right lawn fungicide adds another layer of confusion. Should you use a preventative spray or a curative treatment? Liquid or granular? The sheer volume of choices can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure if you are treating the problem correctly or just wasting time and money.
This guide cuts through the jargon. We will break down exactly what lawn fungicides do, when you need them, and how to pick the perfect product for your specific grass type and fungus issue. By the end of this post, you will feel confident protecting your turf. Let’s dive into making your lawn healthy and resilient again!
Top Fungicide For Lawns Recommendations
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- FUNGICIDE: Fungus Control for lawns cures and prevents listed lawn diseases
- 30 DAY PROTECTION: Protects against lawn diseases for up to a month
- DISEASE CONTROL: Fungicide controls Red Threat, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Rust, and other listed diseases
- RAINPROOF PROTECTION: Systemic Fungicide is absorbed by grass and will not wash off
- Can be used on all lawn types
- DUAL-ACTION FORMULA: Controls major lawn diseases and fungus, plus kills listed lawn-damaging insects on contact
- RAINPROOF: Rainproof in hours – can’t be washed off by rain
- PREVENTS DISEASE: Start treating when grass begins to green up in the spring; for best results, treat every two weeks
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Attaches easily to your garden hose and activates at the flip of a switch
- Azoxystrobin 0.31%
- Golf courses, lawns and landscape areas around residential, institutional, public, commercial and industrial buildings, parks, recreational areas and athletic fields.
- PROVEN BROAD-SPECTRUM FUNGUS PREVENTION: Gunner 14.3 MEC contains 14.3% propiconazole; the same active ingredient as Banner Maxx, the fungicide golf, landscape, and nursery pros trust for proven protection against more than 20 plant fungi.
- AN ADVANCED FORMULA FOR EASY MIXING: The MEC in Gunner 14.3 MEC makes a difference. MEC, or microemulsion concentrate, formulations are made with extremely small particles resulting in mixing ease and greater product stability. Once mixed in the sprayer, Gunner 14.3 MEC won’t separate and settle meaning you won’t have to mix again and again. Our MEC formulation is also tank-mix compatible with many other fungicides making it easy to customize your best-fit fungus control solution.
- PREDICTABLE CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER ISN’T: When unpredictable weather strikes, Gunner 14.3 MEC delivers control you can count on. Once sprays have dried, it is resistant to washing away with rain or irrigation – keeping your foliar treatment right where you need it, on the foliage. When treating for soil-borne fungus, we suggest watering in after application. Refer to the product label for complete application directions.
- CONTROL YOU SEE, NOT SMELL: Some fungus control products leave unwanted scents behind. Gunner 14.3 MEC mixes into a low-odor solution so results are all you’ll notice after application.
- FAST-ACTING AND LONG-LASTING: Gunner 14.3 MEC enters the plant quickly via root uptake or stem absorption to deliver fast fungus protection that lasts up to 28 days. Find application instructions and intervals per target fungus in the product label.
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Don't let brown spots or mildew block your path to a beautiful yard; Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide is a fast-acting formula that stops and prevents 26 common lawn-blemishing diseases
- PREVENTS AND CONTROLS: This lawn fungus treatment is preventative when used on lawns to control brown spots and rings before they appear, and curative when applied on lawns showing signs of disease
- CURES 26 LAWN DISEASE TYPES: Offers broad spectrum disease prevention and control against Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, Powdery Mildew, Necrotic Ring Spot, Summer Patch, Yellow Patch and more listed diseases
- FAST ACTING: Starts working in 24 hours of treatment; the systemic fungicide formula controls common broad spectrum diseases for up to 4 weeks
- USE WITH CONFIDENCE: Apply this lawn fungus control with a Scotts spreader at a uniform coverage; a 10 lb. bag can treat up to 5,000 sq. ft.; people and pets may re-enter treated area after application
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Fungicide for a Lush Lawn
Brown spots and unhealthy patches can ruin the look of your yard. Fungicides are the answer to stopping lawn diseases in their tracks. This guide helps you pick the right product to keep your grass green and strong.
Key Features to Look For in a Lawn Fungicide
When buying a lawn fungicide, several features matter a lot. These features determine how well the product works and how easy it is to use.
1. Type of Control (Preventative vs. Curative)
- Preventative: These products stop fungus before it starts growing. You apply them before you see signs of disease. They offer long-lasting protection.
- Curative (or Systemic): These kill fungus that is already present in the lawn. They move through the plant to stop the infection internally.
2. Active Ingredients
The active ingredient is the chemical that fights the fungus. Different ingredients target different diseases. Look for ingredients like:
- Chlorothalonil (good for broad control)
- Propiconazole (effective against many common lawn molds)
- Myclobutanil (often used for powdery mildew)
3. Application Type
Fungicides come in a few forms. Choose the one that fits your tools and needs:
- Granular: You spread these dry pellets with a fertilizer spreader. They are often easier to apply evenly.
- Liquid Concentrate: You mix this with water in a sprayer. Liquids often work faster and cover dense areas well.
Important Materials and Safety
Understanding what the fungicide is made of helps you use it safely and effectively.
The Carrier Material
For granular products, the carrier material helps spread the active chemical. Quality carriers ensure the active ingredient sticks to the grass blades or soil properly. Good carriers help the product last longer after watering.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Always check the product label and SDS. These documents tell you exactly how to handle the chemical. Safety gear, like gloves and long sleeves, is very important when mixing or applying any fungicide.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Product Quality
The quality of the fungicide is not just about the brand. How you use it also makes a huge difference.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Rainfastness: A high-quality fungicide resists washing away when it rains soon after application. This means the protection lasts longer.
- Broad Spectrum: Products that fight many types of fungus are usually more valuable than those that only target one specific disease.
- Long Residual Activity: This means the product keeps working for many weeks, reducing how often you need to reapply.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Fungicide Resistance: If you use the exact same chemical over and over, the fungus can become immune to it. Rotate your active ingredients for best results.
- Improper Mixing/Application: Too little product means the fungus survives. Too much product wastes money and can harm your grass.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about your lawn’s problems when you choose a product. Different situations require different tools.
Common Use Cases:
- Patchy Brown Spots (Dollar Spot): This common issue often needs a quick curative treatment followed by preventative care.
- Thick, White Coating (Powdery Mildew): This usually happens in shady, humid areas. A liquid systemic fungicide works well here.
- Seasonal Prevention: Lawn care experts often apply a preventative fungicide early in the spring before warm, wet weather encourages disease.
Ease of Use
For beginners, ready-to-spray liquids are often the easiest choice. They require less measuring. Experienced users might prefer concentrates because they are more economical for large lawns.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Fungicides
Q: How quickly does a lawn fungicide start working?
A: Curative liquids often show results within 24 to 48 hours. Granular products might take longer to activate, especially until you water them in.
Q: Can I use fungicide and fertilizer at the same time?
A: Sometimes you can, but always check the product labels first. Mixing incompatible chemicals can damage your lawn or make both products useless.
Q: How long does the protection from one application last?
A: This varies greatly. Preventative treatments can last from three to six weeks, depending on the weather and the specific chemical used.
Q: What is the main difference between preventative and curative fungicides?
A: Preventative products stop the fungus from infecting the grass cells. Curative products enter the plant and kill the fungus that has already started growing inside.
Q: Do I need to water the lawn after applying a granular fungicide?
A: Yes, usually you must water lightly after applying granular types. Watering helps move the active ingredients down to the soil and grass roots.
Q: What causes lawn fungus in the first place?
A: Fungus thrives in specific conditions: high humidity, warm temperatures, poor air circulation, and overly wet soil are the main causes.
Q: Will fungicide hurt my pets or children?
A: Yes, fungicides can be harmful if ingested or touched when wet. Always follow the re-entry interval (REI) listed on the label before letting people or pets back onto the lawn.
Q: Is it better to use a liquid or a granular product?
A: Liquids are often better for quick control and shade problems. Granules are great for large areas and longer, preventative coverage when spread properly.
Q: What should I do if the brown spots keep coming back?
A: If spots return quickly, you may have resistance, or the underlying cultural issue (like too much water) is still present. Try switching to a fungicide with a different active ingredient.
Q: When is the best time of year to start applying fungicides?
A: The best time is usually early spring, just as the grass starts growing actively, or when local weather forecasts predict long periods of high humidity and mild temperatures.