Snow mold is a fungus that grows on your lawn. This year our Denver neighbors see more of this fungal foe. If you notice discolored, matted-down patches of lawn, it may be snow mold.
What causes snow mold? It’s a mold we’ve seen more in the Denver area this year. Plantalk tells us that snow mold “develops when snow falls on unfrozen turf and remains for long periods of time. Snow mold fungi thrive under snow cover in temperatures just above freezing.”
After the snow melts, the straw-colored, yellow, or brownish circular patches might be covered with gray or white webbing.
It’s fairly simple to manage snow mold. Jeff Disler, ArborScape’s Plant Health Care Expert, recommends homeowners to “rake the grass where the mold appears in order to disperse it.” We do not want the grass to be matted up. Also avoid raking forcefully, as this might cause more damage to your turf roots. This will allow the grass to dry out and discourage further growth of the fungus.
Besides raking, fertilizing and aeration are potential treatments. Plantalk also tells us, “A light fertilizer application may be made in the spring. Fungicide applications are preventive only and must be applied in fall.” Further, the Coloradoan explains that you can also “aerate the lawn to help air circulation… to help the lawn dry out and breathe, which should lead to a slow but steady recovery.”
ArborScape will continue to be there for your tree and lawn needs. Should you choose to aerate your lawn, ArborScape offers these services and many others to keep your turf and trees lush, beautiful and hassle-free!