How to Prevent and Treat Snow Mold

Lawns need extra care in the fall to prepare for a long, cold winter. Even if you do everything right, you may still wind up with lawn problems in the spring. One of the most common issues that homeowners encounter in the winter is snow mold. This can cause the grass to be pale yellow and to stick together.

How Snow Mold Affects Lawns

Snow mold can affect almost any type of grass that is exposed to freezing temperatures and snow in the winter. Snow mold can even develop in areas that do not get snow in the winter. The disease can affect a lawn if the weather is cool, rainy, and overcast. Snow mold is often the first lawn disease to strike and can cause a lawn to look unsightly after the snow melts.

Two types of snow mold can affect your lawn in the winter. They are known as gray snow mold, or Typhula Blight, and pink snow mold, or Microdochium Patch.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Snow Mold

There are some steps you can take to prevent snow mold. Fertilize your lawn at appropriate times of the year to make sure it gets key nutrients. Keep thatch levels below ½ inch by core aerating your lawn at least once a year.

Gradually cut your lawn shorter and shorter in the fall. At the last mowing of the season, cut it to a height of 1 ½ to 2 inches. This will prevent the grass from laying over on itself and reduce the chance of your lawn developing snow mold.

How to Treat Snow Mold

If your lawn develops snow mold in the winter, you can help it return to health by removing piles of snow, especially in shady areas. Leaving piles of snow on your lawn can expose it to moisture and cold temperatures over long periods of time that can lead to snow mold.

If your lawn has a mild case of snow mold, you may be able to treat it by raking the area that is affected. Rake the area lightly to loosen the grass in the matted area and allow new grass to grow. Be careful not to rake too hard to avoid raking up the existing grass.

If the snow mold is more severe, you may need to rake a larger area. Do not use a power rake because it could damage the grass. If the problem occurs year after year, you may need to use chemical, cultural, and biological methods to control it.

Do not apply a chemical disease treatment to your lawn if it already has snow mold because this is likely to be ineffective. It is better to apply chemical controls in the fall to prevent snow mold in the first place. 

Order a Sprinkler System to Make Sure Your Lawn Gets Enough Water

You should continue to water your lawn in the fall to make sure it gets enough moisture. Make sure to give your lawn plenty of water in the spring so it can be restored to a healthy green condition quickly. A sprinkler system can help you make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water at the right times, even when you are not home. Sprinkler System Store offers a variety of sprinklers and timers made by leading manufacturers. Order a sprinkler system today.