Water Smarter, Not Harder: Beat Hot Spots and Fungus in Your Florida Lawn
Let’s talk about something we all love: a lush, green Florida lawn that doesn’t look like it’s been through a desert hike or a fungal rave.
Living in Sarasota or Manatee County means your lawn is basically on a year-round vacation—sun, rain, humidity... and just the right conditions to either thrive or totally fall apart. The difference? Smart watering.
At Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control, we see it all—from scorched hot spots to fungus-covered fairways. So, let’s break down how to keep your lawn healthy without overwatering it into a swamp or under-watering it into straw.
🌞 Hot Spots: Not the Good Kind
No, we’re not talking about trendy Sarasota brunch spots. We’re talking about those dry, patchy, brown areas in your yard that look like your grass gave up and walked off the job.
What causes hot spots?
Uneven sprinkler coverage
Compacted soil
Pet pee “gifts” (thanks, Fido)
Poor watering habits during summer scorchers
Fix it like a pro:
Run a sprinkler test: Put a few empty tuna cans around your lawn. If some fill way faster than others, you’ve got uneven coverage.
Adjust sprinklers and replace clogged heads
Aerate the soil to allow water to reach thirsty roots
Water deeply, not daily – two to three times per week is plenty, even in the heat
💦 Watering 101: Don’t Drown It with Love
When it comes to watering, more is not always better. In fact, overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes we see. It leads to weak roots, water bills that make you cry, and our next villain...
🍄 Lawn Fungus: The Silent (and Slimy) Killer
Think of lawn fungus as the party crasher of your yard. It thrives in moist, humid, poorly drained areas. Overwater just a little, and BOOM—brown patches, slimy grass, and a sad, spongy lawn.
Common Florida fungal foes:
Brown patch
Dollar spot
Pythium blight (yes, that’s as gross as it sounds)
How to avoid a fungal fiasco:
Water early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) so grass can dry during the day
Never water at night—unless you’re secretly rooting for fungus
Keep your mower blade sharp to avoid wounding the grass
Don’t over-fertilize (that’s fungus fuel!)
💚 The Westfall’s Advantage
Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties for over [insert years], Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control brings local expertise, science-backed solutions, and a friendly team that knows your lawn’s needs like the back of their green-thumbed hands.
Whether it’s setting up smart irrigation, treating lawn fungus, or reviving dry patches, we’ve got your yard covered—literally.
Let’s keep your lawn green, gorgeous, and fungus-free this summer.
Contact Westfall’s today for a free lawn health checkup!