White Puffy Fungus on the Grass

There's a Fungus Among Us!

• A puffy fungal disease that appears in early spring as the snow melts is snow mold. There are two types: gray (Typhula blight) and pink-white (microdochium nivale). The fungi only grow at temperatures below 30 degrees to 40 degrees, usually under the snow pack. It also grows in shady lawn areas or in areas where leaves or debris cover the grass. Symptoms first appear as circular, straw-colored patches and progress to fuzzy, damp, gray, white or pink matted grass.

How to Treat Snow Mold Fungus

• Snow mold is treatable and rarely causes serious damage, especially to Kentucky bluegrass varieties. Gently rake the affected areas to dry out the grass leaves and to encourage new spring growth. If problems persist, aerate well, reseed the area, and wait for new growth to appear. Areas affected by snow mold may take longer to green up in the spring. A light application of nitrogen-heavy fertilizer in the spring may speed new growth of dormant grass. Use a fungicide only as a last resort and only apply it in heavily affected areas in the fall.

Prevention of Snow Mold

• Properly putting your lawn to bed in the fall will help combat the snow mold fungus. In late fall, around Halloween, give your lawn its last fertilizer application. Aerate to allow good air circulation deep down to the roots. Rake the lawn to remove any dead grass, leaves or debris. In winter, avoid piling snow around driveways and sidewalks. In spring, gently rake the lawn to dry the leaves and prevent matting.

Results: A Happy, Healthy Lawn

• Pink and gray snow mold are commonly found in areas of the country that receive heavy snowfall. However, lawns in the South or states with low annual precipitation are also susceptible to this fungus if large areas of the lawn are covered by leaves or debris. The fungus will grow in any cool, moist area where sunlight does not penetrate.