Another common issue that our grounds crew has to be aware of is snow mold! There are 2 types that we need to be aware of here at the Plex: pink snow mold and gray snow mold. Snow mold is a fungus that remains dormant in the turf plant or soil until desirable weather conditions allow it to “grow.” One issue with snow mold is that it isn’t obvious you are dealing with the mold until the snow is melted and gone, so if you are not able to prevent it, there is no reversing it, just treatment!
Gray snow mold will generally occur when snow cover is present for 60 or more days. The turf is most susceptible to gray snow mold when the turf surface is at or above freezing temperatures while the snow is on it for extended periods of time. Gray snow mold makes the turf appear matted down and crusty looking. The patches look grayish-white in color.
Pink snow mold is slightly different from gray snow mold both in color and how it is created. Pink snow mold does not require snow to develop,
but can develop simply because of long periods of cold, wet weather.
Pink snow mold looks very similar to gray snow mold; however, the circle has a brownish look in the center and a pink ring around the outside of the patch. Pink snow mold can be transmitted even when dormant through equipment, people, animals, wind and water. Both gray and pink snow mold are common in annual bluegrass, bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrasses, but all grasses are susceptible to these fungi!
