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Snow on My Home Lawn

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What does all this snow mean for my lawn?

For much of the United States, record snow fall has made life miserable, especially in areas that are not accustom to two feet of snow on their home lawn for the entire winter season, let alone having it come down within a week’s time. For the most part, it will not affect your lawn to any great extent. Snow is a good insulator and the grass will be protected from the extremely low temperatures that often follow large snow falls. Most warm-season turfgrasses have not started to come out of dormancy, so they will be fine. Cool-season turfgrasses are adapted to cold weather, so they will be fine as well. There are two problems that may surface as a result of all the snow. Salt damage along streets, driveways or sidewalks may require lawn care repair work in the spring. The other concern is the development of a disease called snow mold, especially if the snow melts quickly. The fungal growth of the disease moves across the surface of the grass plants and as it dries, it can seem to glue the grass plants together. This may inhibit the growth of new grass blades from below. These matted patches can be easily be broken up by lightly raking the areas or by using your fingers and quickly run them back and forth across the patch to break up the mat.