Did you know that the real danger to your lawn isn’t the snow itself? It’s what lies underneath! All lawn owners in Massachusetts face this frosty foe: snow molds. These lawn diseases linger all year, waiting for the winter to strike our customers’ lawns. Hard to get rid of and unsightly, snow molds are here to stay unless you tackle the problem head-on.
What Is Snow Mold? A Common Problem for Massachusetts Lawns
Snow molds are winter lawn diseases that affect cool-season turfgrasses caused by fungi. These cold-loving culprits flourish in Massachusetts’ winter conditions — cold, damp, and perfect for their growth. Snow molds attack lawns by producing spores that spread across the grass blades, which develop into mycelium that feed on the tissue. While snow mold isn’t often lethal to lawns, it can still impact the beauty and strength of your grass.
There are four snow molds every MA lawn owner needs to watch out for:
- Pink snow mold (microdochium patch)
- Gray snow mold (typhula blight)
- Coprinus snow mold (cottony snow mold)
- Snow scald
Spotting Snow Mold in New England: Signs to Watch for In Spring 2025
Don’t skate on thin ice! Keep a sharp eye out for snow molds in your yard this spring. When the snow melts in warmer weather, you’ll find this disease isn’t a pretty sight. With a little bit of practice and research, you can spot these molds in your lawn a mile away.
- Pink snow mold appears as irregular round splotches in turf. Ranging from tan to bright pink, its patches are typically encircled with a deep red or brown ring.
- Gray snow mold causes gray-to-white matted grass patches. White webbing can also be spotted on the grass blades, similar in appearance to spider webs.
- Coprinus snow mold is a less common but still prevalent minor snow mold. It appears as round or irregular patches covered in a white wooly mycelium.
- Snow scald is another minor type that emerges as irregular or round black patches within a lawn.
What Causes Snow Mold in Massachusetts? Factors Unique to Our Winters
Certain climate factors in Massachusetts will make it far more likely for snow mold to emerge. The two biggest ones are moisture and temperature: all snow molds thrive in cool and wet environments. On average, Massachusetts gets about 44 inches of snowfall yearly, making it the 6th snowiest state in the USA! This snowfall creates a very damp, chilly, and enclosed environment for lawns across the state. Naturally, snow-loving molds are going to follow.
While Massachusetts winters make it even easier for this disease to attack your lawn, a common lawn care mistake can also contribute to its growth. Heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications in the fall feed this lawn disease, so it’s recommended that you select a high-phosphorus fertilizer for root development instead.
How to Treat Snow Mold on Your Massachusetts Lawn
Well, we have bad news and good news. The bad news is that it’s nearly impossible to eradicate this disease because the mycelium exists all throughout the soil. While curative fungicide applications might assist with severe snow mold cases, they’re often ineffective. Here’s the good news: proper seasonal lawn care and preventative applications will do wonders for your yard next winter.
Skip the curative fungicide treatments — What you really want is a preventative fungicide that stops the disease from penetrating your grass blades. Contact fungicides are every homeowner’s holy grail for preventing snow molds from emerging. These fungicides are applied the week before snowfall and coat the grass blades like a shielding blanket, blocking all diseases from penetrating the grass tissue. Preventative applications are highly effective but short-lasting, so reapplying before each snowfall is crucial.
If your lawn has a snow mold infection this spring, don’t panic. You can help your lawn recover naturally by raking the area thoroughly. This will de-mat the affected patches and let them air out. Then, continue with your regular spring lawn care to promote healthy growth.
When to Call Massachusetts Lawn Care Experts for Removal
Snow mold can put up one heck of a battle. But don’t worry, you’re not alone! If your lawn continues to struggle with this disease, it might be time to contact your local lawn care team.
Snow molds can be persistent – if your lawn is infected with fungal diseases yearly, it’s time to call in some backup.
With science-backed strategies, lawn experts can help you regain control of your lawn’s health. Massachusetts lawn care companies can aid mold-impacted yards with fungal applications, aeration services, and a turf-strengthening lawn care program.
Recover Your Massachusetts Lawn from Snow Mold with MissionGreen Services
If your lawn needs a pick-me-up after the biting winter, MissionGreen can help. Winter is the best time to invest in your lawn’s health and stop snow molds next year! For more information, contact us to learn about the year-round benefits of our 2025 lawn care program.
