02/17/2026
WINTER SNOWS CAN BECOME
SPRING WOES!
This winter has become one of the old time varieties of bone chilling temperatures, prolonged snow cover and icy conditions. Winters like this can pose problems for turfgrass during the thaw of spring time. Common to these winters is the problem of Snow Molds. Both Pink and Gray Snow Molds are fungal growth usually found where matted grasses have been frozen together for a prolonged period of time and the fungal pathogen active during the snow cover will infect and kill circular patches from usually 3 to 12 inches in diameter.
Gray SnowMold is usually less severe as it usually will just infect the grass blades on the surface. Pink Snow Mold is more damaging and usually will not only damage the grass blades, but also inflict damage to the root system, thus causing a need to reseed as weather permits in the spring.
When yo notice these circular areas after snow melt, it's best to lightly rake and promote air movement back to the damaged area so the fungal activity can be allowed to dry out and grasses can make a recovery. If you see your lawn has been damaged, it can make a good recovery by keepting leaves, long grass and lawn debris raked up in late fall as well s early in spring. Likewise, if it is a persistent problem each year, then a snow mold fungicide can be applied before winter snowfall to guard against these infections. Furthermore, you can do some light overseeding to these circular areas to aid in recovery through spring time if need be. In most cases root systems will regenerate new grown as temperatures warm through early spring and a small amount of spring fertility will enhance a quicker recovery.
