Snow mold

Snow mold is a type of fungus that grows in snow covered grass when the snow melts in the spring. It is a common problem in cold climates and can cause damage to turf grass on lawns, golf courses, and sports fields.

Types of Snow Mold

There are two main types of snow mold: Gray Snow Mold and Pink Snow Mold.

Gray Snow Mold, also known as Typhula blight, is caused by the fungi Typhula incarnata and Typhula ishikariensis. It appears as large, grayish-white patches on the grass when the snow melts.

Pink Snow Mold, also known as Microdochium patch or Fusarium patch, is caused by the fungus Microdochium nivale. It appears as small, pink patches on the grass when the snow melts.

Symptoms and Damage

The main symptom of snow mold is the appearance of circular patches on the grass when the snow melts. These patches can range in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The grass in these patches often appears matted and may be discolored.

Snow mold can cause significant damage to turf grass. The fungi that cause snow mold can kill the grass in the affected areas, resulting in bare spots on the lawn or turf. In severe cases, the entire lawn or turf may need to be reseeded or resodded.

Prevention and Control

Prevention is the best method of controlling snow mold. This can be achieved by maintaining healthy grass, avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization in the fall, and removing snow piles from the lawn or turf.

If snow mold does occur, it can be controlled by lightly raking the affected areas to promote drying and prevent the growth of the fungi. Fungicides can also be used to control snow mold, but they are generally not recommended for home lawns.

See Also

• Lawn care
• Turf management
• Fungus
• Plant pathology

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