We want our lawn to look great year-round. A part of this depends on the work put in during the warmer seasons of spring and summer to ensure your lawn stays healthy in the fall and winter months. One winter concern you want to be mindful of is snow mold. Snow mold is more apparent once the snow has begun to melt. You’ll notice white, gray, or pink patches on your lawn. This is caused by a fungus that mimics the appearance of snow.
Snow mold lives in your soil year-round. It remains inactive during the months of extreme temperatures, such as the peak of summer and the peak of winter. Snow mold is most active in temperatures between 32-45°F. This is the perfect temperature for mold to grow under snow, as this temperature range helps to cause the spores to sprout and spread.
Prevention Tips
If you are currently experiencing snow mold, there isn’t much you can do about it for this season. However, knowing you are susceptible to snow mold damage can help you be better prepared for next year. Prevention tips include:
- Mow before the first snow – You should mow your lawn shorter than usual before the first snow so that your grass and soil will trap less moisture. You’ll also want to be mindful of letting leaves build up throughout the year as moisture can get trapped in the pile.
- Use fungicide – There is snow mold-specific preventive fungicides available. You will want to treat your lawn before heavy snow sets in. Be sure that you are making sure you are purchasing the right product for your lawn.
- Dethatch lawn – This should be done at least 2 or 3 times a year to help prevent the risk of snow mold.
Ask the Pros
If you’ve noticed snow mold on your lawn, the professionals at Advanced Tree and Landscape can help. We can help restore your lawn in the spring, as well as help you prevent any snow mold from causing your lawn damage in the following winters to come. Contact us for any lawn care needs.
