Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Friday - April 24, 2009

From: Angleton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Brown patches on St. Augustine grass
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have brown patches on my st. augustine grass, it looks like the grass has rotted from standing water, but the drainage is not a problem, What could it be?

ANSWER:

There are several possibilities for the cause of the brown patches on your Stenotaphrum secundatum (St. Augustine grass):

1) Fungal disease such as brown patch or take-all patch;

2) Insect pests such as chinch bugs or grubs; or

3) Drought.

Please see the City of Austin's Grow Green Earth-Wise Guide to Lawn Problems for diagnoses, detailed descriptions and treatments.