An Issue…An Answer

As evidenced by the accompanying photos, spring activity in your lawn and beds is upon us, whether you’re ready or not. And with it, an issue about which you may not be aware, and likely, one about which you’re never heard. But beware…it could have a devastating impact on your lawn this summer.

It’s called “snow mold”, and if you look you’ll notice the matted-down areas of your lawn as it comes out of winter hibernation. Snow mold fungi are active at temperatures just above freezing in moist conditions. These conditions occur most frequently under snow cover or anything else that covers the grass, such as fallen tree leaves. Gray snow mold usually only occurs after prolonged snow cover. Pink snow mold may be active in cool, wet conditions from late fall through early spring even in the absence of snow or other covers, a factor which greatly enhances its potential as a damaging disease.

In either case, it left to its own devices “snow mold” can lead to dead spots in your yard as the season progresses…but it doesn’t have to. To alleviate the situation without chemicals, simply take a rake to affected areas and “fluff” the surface, allowing air and sunlight to do its own form of spring cleaning. For bigger areas, attach any kind of device, such as a chain-link mat, to your lawn tractor and drag it across your yard. Aeration is an excellent alternative. This, in combination of warm sunlight and air circulation, will kill “snow mold” spores before they can kill your grass.

For more information on spring molds, aeration and the necessary spring nutrients to feed your plants…feel free to call the professionals at Ever-Green. Estimates are always free, and you’ll find the solutions to your lawn and landscaping issues to be…invaluable!