Snow mold is a fungus that can make it difficult to mow or walk on the lawn. It also blocks sunlight, which prevents grass from growing and makes it more susceptible to extreme fungal and plant diseases.
Snow mold grows under the snow in winter. When the snow melts in spring, it is apparent as white or pink patches on the lawn.
While removing snow mold is a temporary solution, preventing it from occurring is essential for a healthy lawn.
This article will discuss the steps necessary to remove snow mold from the lawn and some worthy tips on how to prevent it.
You will learn about its causes, the best treatment for snow mold, and how to follow an integrated approach to keep snow mold from returning.
Contents
- How to Get Rid of Snow Mold in Grass
- How to Remove Snow Mold from Lawn
- 1. Mow Your Lawn before Snowfall
- 2. Do not Overwater the Grass
- 3. Remove Debris on Your Grass
- 4. Use Fungicides to Prevent Fungi on Your Lawn
- 5. Dethatch Your Lawn
- 6. Use Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer
- How to Prevent Snow Mold on Your Lawn (FAQS)
- What Causes Snow Mold?
- Is Snow Mold Dangerous to Humans?
- Will grass grow back after snow mold?
- Is snow mold bad for grass?
- What does snow mold look like in grass?
- Author
How to Get Rid of Snow Mold in Grass
Once your lawn is infected with fungus, it is almost impossible to keep the infestation from spreading. While some people advise using fungicides to eliminate fungus, others recommend using fungicides to prevent the fungus. However, the best way is to let the grass cure the fungus by itself.
But you can speed this process and allow the sun to kill the fungus by following the steps below:
- Rake your lawn and remove as much fungus as possible. This will enable the sun’s rays to penetrate the infected lawn better.
- Remove all dead and decaying matter on your lawn, including leaves and other fungal-infected grass. You don’t want these to serve as a haven for the fungus
- Mow the lawn at least once a week. Use sharp blades and mow when it is dry. Shorten the grass at least two inches high.
- Let the grass dry out after mowing. Allow a few days for the fungus to die so that you can remove it easily.
- Wear protective gear, including rubber boots, long pants, and gloves when cutting your grass or removing dead leaves. Snow mold is a fungus and is highly contagious. The fungus can easily spread from your lawn to other plants, houseplants, and even on your shoes.
- Wash the equipment thoroughly after using it on your lawn
- If you cannot get rid of the fungus by yourself, call a lawn care service to help you with this process.
How to Remove Snow Mold from Lawn
Now that you understand how to remove snow mold from your lawn, you may be wondering how and when this fungus will attack your grass.
While it is hard to prevent snow mold completely, there are a few lawn care tips that you should consider following.
1. Mow Your Lawn before Snowfall
It is important to mow your lawn prior to snowfall. As the snow sublime, it will melt and moisten your lawn. Longer grass will be more likely to catch snow mold after the first snowfall.
By mowing your lawn, you will also make it easier to remove snow mold.
Melt snow without damaging lawn grass
2. Do not Overwater the Grass
You should avoid watering your lawn after a snowfall particularly if it’s infected by these fungi. Watering your grass will make it harder for the grass to get rid of the fungus, making removing snow mold even more difficult.
3. Remove Debris on Your Grass
If you do not want to remove snow mold by hand, you should consider raking your lawn regularly. Leaves and other plant debris will attract snow mold, and removing them can prevent the spread of the fungus.
Also, removing dead leaves will make the grass healthier and encourage growth. Best way to get rid of pine needles
4. Use Fungicides to Prevent Fungi on Your Lawn
While it is easy to find a fungicide that can get rid of snow mold, it is also challenging to find one that does not contain toxic chemicals.
Also, it would help if you considered using them as a preventive measure instead of an emergency cure.
5. Dethatch Your Lawn
When you remove thatch from your lawn, you will encourage growth and prevent fungus from growing. This is because the grassroots can get ample sunlight while it blocks snow mold from growing.
6. Use Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer
Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizer provides a constant source of nutrients and creates a healthy lawn that can prevent snow mold. It also helps to reduce the incidence of fungus on your lawn. Avoid using fast-release fertilizers, as they encourage fungi.
How to Prevent Snow Mold on Your Lawn (FAQS)
What Causes Snow Mold?
The main cause of snow mold is the cold weather fungi. As the temperatures drop, they grow on your lawn and spread throughout the grass.
This is why snow mold is more common in cold climate areas. Snow mold can also develop in wet conditions, so you need to make sure that your grass is always well-drained.
When snow mold develops, it appears as a white, gray or pink coating on your grass. It is easy to spot, as it grows fast and coats almost the entire grass during the early winter.
If you remove snow mold, you should do so before the second fall of snow. If not removed before that time, it grows thicker and harder to remove.
Is Snow Mold Dangerous to Humans?
Any fungus causes allergic reactions in most people. Snow mold is no exception. Contact with fungus causes allergies and skin rashes.
If you touch fungus on your lawn and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, the fungal spores will enter your body. This causes itchy and painful skin rashes.
In severe cases, this fungus can even cause infections in the lungs and skin cancer. Make sure that you wear protective clothing when removing snow mold and disinfect any infected areas.
Some of the symptoms may include skin rashes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. You should also seek medical advice if you experience a fever, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
You should avoid removing snow mold without any protective clothing. Wear gloves with rubberized grips, long pants, and a face mask while collecting the dead leaves and cutting off infected grass.
If you are dealing with an infection, then you should seek medical advice immediately and seek treatment.
Will grass grow back after snow mold?
The grass will grow back. How fast depends on how bad the infection was. The greater the damage, the longer it will take to heal.
Is snow mold bad for grass?
Snow mold doesn’t kill the grass directly. Grasses that are in good health can recover from a fungal infection. How fast depends on how bad the condition was.
What does snow mold look like in grass?
Pink snow mold looks like pink patches in the grass. Gray snow mold looks grey and white.
Learning how to remove snow mold from the lawn is essential if you want to grow a healthy lawn.
While fungal infections cannot kill your grass, they make it less efficient and cause the fungus to spread.
Removing snow mold quickly is very important, as it can cause skin rashes and infections.
