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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

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

Turf Care and Beaty Fertilizer Unite for Growth, Innovation, and Increased Value to Customers

April 18, 2025
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”

Grub Management: Understanding Life Cycles and Optimal Treatment Timing

April 18, 2025
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.

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.
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