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Tis the Season... for Snow Mold!

February 10, 2017

Tis the Season... for Snow Mold!

February 10, 2017
LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY & TREAT AFFECTED TURF GRASS
As spring approaches and snow begins to melt, one may notice that areas of turf grass may appear to be “glued” together and pale yellow in color. This problem is sign of a disease know as snow mold. In the University of Minnesota’s article by Cynthia Ash, “Snow molds in lawns,” snow mold is defined as being “a fungal disease that appears in early spring as the snow melts.” No need to panic though, throughout this article we’ll discuss why snow mold has occurred, types of snow mold symptoms to watch out for as well as how to prepare your lawn to defend itself against the snow mold disease.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
A less-tended to lawn can be more susceptible to snow mold but even a well maintained lawn can also fall victim to this disease. Although this disease does not occur every year, it is most common after a winter that had an early and deep snow cover that prevented the ground from properly freezing. 
  • NOTE: A cold winter is less likely to promote snow mold but may still cause winter injury to lawns.
  • TIP: Any lawn can experience snow mold but with proper fertilization, watering, mowing and aeration you can decrease the likelihood of your lawn being affected by this disease each year.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SNOW MOLD TYPES & IDENTIFYING THE SYMPTOMS
There are two types of snow mold that become active under snow cover: gray and pink snow mold. Symptoms can first be noticed when pale yellow, straw like circular patches appear on a lawn after snow melts in the spring. Often, these patchy areas are matted, or seem “glued” together and have colorful fungal growth that cover the entire patch or develop along the edges of the infected area.
gray snow mold typhula blight

GRAY SNOW MOLD (TYPHULA BLIGHT)

Gray snow mold can be spotted shortly after snow melts and is not a particularly vibrant shade of gray, but rather more of a straw colored, circular patch that looks white, sometimes grayish, and is surrounded by a white or gray halo of fluffy fungal growth. It often appears to be a rough circular shape that looks like bleach patches in the lawn that gets larger if grass remains cool and wet. This disease is caused by Typhula spp., a fungus that has the ability to attack plants at low temperatures under snow cover. When examining the spots, diseased plants will reveal small brown or tan pea-like structures called sclerotia on or imbedded in infected plants. The good news is that even though this disease is not pretty to look at, it rarely kills turf grass.
pink snow mold fusarium patch

PINK SNOW MOLD (FUSARIUM PATCH)

Ironically, pink snow mold is not pink for very long and is caused by a fungus called Microdochium nivale. This fungus can survive unfavorable periods of dormancy in infected plants and debris in cool, wet conditions. This particular type of snow mold does not necessarily need snow to infect turf but has the ability to develop under snow cover. Areas like, the Pacific Northwest are susceptible to pink snow mold year-round. Under wet conditions, pink snow mold produces pinkish cast circular patches up to 60cm in diameter that gives turf the appearance of being water soaked around the edge of the infected area. Under dry conditions, pink mold becomes tan and/or bleached out. Pink snow mold has the ability to kill the crowns and roots of turf grass, making it a more severe disease compared to gray mold. 

  • NOTE: Bentgrass and perennial ryegrass are more vulnerable to pink mold while Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues are moderately vulnerable.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SNOW MOLD ATTACK
Snow mold doesn’t happen overnight; the right conditions will lead to this turfgrass disease. In the article, Distribution of Typhula spp. and Typhula ishikariensis Varieties in Wisconsin, Utah, Michigan, and Minnesota, from the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin states:

During winter dormancy, the carbohydrate reserves of the plants are depleted, and the plant becomes less resistant to disease. Weakened plant defenses allow these psychrophilic organisms to take advantage of a host while escaping competition and antagonism from other microorganisms (3,9, 14,23). In intensively managed turfgrasses, particularly creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), symptoms and signs of the disease appear in spring after snow melt as straw-colored circular patches of either dead tissue embedded with sclerotia in the leaves, crowns, or roots of the plant, or sclerotia loosely detached, suspended in mycelium between leaves (32,34).

TREATMENT STRATEGIES
Comes spring and if areas of turf grass appear to be “glued” together and pale yellow in color, then that means snow mold has infected your lawn. Luckily treatment is fairly simple, especially in cases that are not too severe. In the University of Minnesota’s article by Cynthia Ash, “Snow molds in lawns,” its recommended to "gently rake affected areas of the lawn to promote drying and prevent further fungal growth." If snow mold has been a severe, persistent and/or wide-spread issue in past years, a preventative fungicide program can be adopted. Contact the regions Cooperative Extension Office for more information in regard to current registered products available for use in that area.

PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Turf grass is more susceptible to lawn disease during the winter months because of its dormancy. Since plants are not actively growing they are more vulnerable to disease due to the limited reserve of food/nutrients to get them through till spring. However, just because grass is dormant and more susceptible to snow mold disease doesn’t mean that the turf will become infected. It’s important to properly prepare turf grass during late spring/early fall in order to prevent & manage a future infection. Some important strategies to remember are:
  • Continue to mow turf as long as it continues to grow, this can even mean mowing into months when weather beings to cool. NOTE: Be sure to research or consult a lawn care expert about the grass species in your region for mowing specifications. 
  • When applying winterizer in fall, be sure to follow bag label instructions about application timing as well as proper application rate. Fertilizing too late in the fall will stimulate excessive new growth, which will be vulnerable to infection. TIP: Avoid fertilizers with excessive nitrogen in mid-fall to discourage growth, rather, look for a winterizer that has higher rates of Potassium (the K in N-P-K).
  • Avoid creating snow banks, or piles of snow from shoveling and plowing on lawns to prevent compacting turf. The longer the snow remains on grass, the more moisture will be trapped, encouraging snow mold growth. 
  • Leaf Mulch or remove leaves from lawn prior to winter weather. Piles of leaves create a favorable environment for snow mold.
  • Manage thatch and core aeration prior to heading into months of dormancy.
  • In areas affected by snow mold, lightly rake matted areas to loosen the grass in order to encourage new spring growth.
In the end, a balanced fertilization program that is applied in the correct amounts and at the right time ultimately provide the necessary nutrients needed to encourage a strong grass root system that will help prevent snow mold from occurring in the spring after the snow melts.

For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.
References:
http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PHYTO-96-0926
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/lawns/snow-molds-in-lawns/
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/pinksnowmold.pdf
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/managing-diseases/pink-snow-mold
http://www.brennanlandscaping.com/home-and-garden-news/ProblemsAfterSnow
https://www.spring-green.com/lawn-care-guide/snow-mold/
http://www.turfmagazine.com/lawn-care/common-turfgrass-diseases/
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/graysnowmold.pdf

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Platte River Equity - Press Release: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 4, 2024
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers,  We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC

Turf Care Supply Goes Electric

September 28, 2023
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.
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