Turf Tip 1/9/2018

Snow Mold

Gray snow mold, a true snow mold, occurs under snow cover. The affected grass forms a mat or crust of leaves a few inches to many feet in diameter and may show a white to gray mold with tiny black fruiting bodies (sclerotia) embedded in the leaf tissue. Thorough brushing or raking to break this crust usually results in grass recovery. Pink snow mold occurs when the temperature is approximately 40 to 60°F and abundant moisture is available. Pink snow mold is more damaging than gray snow mold and often results in death of the turf. To control snow mold fungicides must be applied in late fall or early winter and again in early spring.