While performing several free lawn analysis today, I noticed some SNOW MOLD in Shelby and Clinton Townships.  It is nowhere as invasive as in the past and I was a little surprise to see any at all this year.  Normally we see snow mold only after the snow has been on the lawn for several weeks.   This year the snow was lighter and was never on the lawns more then a week or two.  If you see some areas on your lawn, now that the snow is gone, that look like the pictures below it may be gray or pink snow mold.

The good news is that in most cases this won’t require much attention on your part.  But we do get call from our clients asking what is happening. 

Gray snow is what we see most of in our area.  Like the name suggest it is recognize by the white to gray color.  No need to worry it will clear up with the help of you first fertilizing application.  You can help the process by lightly racking the area to allow air to circulate and speed up the recovery of the damage turf.

Pink snow mold is little more serious of the two.  It has a pink to salmon in color.  Again the first fertilizing application will stimulate the turf to grow and the lawn should recover.  Light raking will also help to speed up the recovery.  There is more of a chance that pink snow damage may need to be over seeded.   Wait and see if it recovers.

I have seen both gray and pink snow mold on lawns together.

If you are concern about the condition of your lawn at this time of year, please feel free to call Master Gardener Lawn Care LLC for a free lawn analysis.  We would be thrilled to treat your lawn or advise you on the best products available for you to create a showcase lawn. 

Master Gardener Lawn Care has been creating award winning lawns for over twenty years.  We are members of and abide by the firm code of ethics of the Michigan Green Industry Association.  We provide lawn care services in Macomb, Oakland and Berrien Counties.

About the Author 

Patrick Wesley is a Certified Master Gardener and Owner and Director of Operations for Master Gardener Lawn Care located in Macomb County, Michigan.   Pat’s Company, Master Gardener Lawn Care, provides an organic based lawn fertilizing service in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Warren, and Sterling Heights in Macomb County, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Royal Oak, Berkley Huntington Wood in Oakland County and St Joseph, Benton Harbor, Coloma, Steve in Berrien County, Michigan.  Master Gardener Lawn Care was established in 1991 and provides lawn fertilizing service, core aeration, weed control, soil testing and insect control.  For more information on our lawn care and lawn fertilizing services or to request a free lawn care analysis please visit our Free Lawn Fertilizing Service Estimate page on the mastergardenerlawncare.com website