Megan's Nature Nook
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Since Spring time weather still isn’t quite here, and we have the potential for more snow, that gives me time to talk about Snow Mold! If you’ve taken a walk through your yard or a park during this time of year, you’ve most likely encountered Snow Mold before. Snow Mold actually isn’t mold, but a type of fungus. There are two kinds, Grey Snow Mold and Pink Snow Mold. Grey Snow Mold seems to be the one I see the most. Grey Snow Mold begins growing under the snow on unfrozen ground and can continue after the snow melts. It grows in temperatures slightly below freezing up to around 45 degrees. As long as the temperature is right, the snow mold will continue to grow until the ground surface becomes too dry. I think Snow Mold looks like spiderwebs on top of matted down grass. The treads of the “spiderweb” are called hyphae, the part of the fungus that collects the nutrients. Usually patches of Snow Mold will be circular and grow outwards. Occasionally, small mushrooms, which are the fruiting body of the fungus, can be seen coming up from the grass. Snow Molds may not grow every year, or in every lawn; it all depends on the weather – amount of snow, length of time the lawn is snow-covered, temperature, and how long the lawn stays wet after snowmelt. If you do have Snow Mold in your yard, when you’re doing Spring yardwork gently rake the matted grass to help it dry out quicker. Once the ground is too dry or temperature are too warm, Snow Mold will dry up and fade until next year. Be sure you’re on the lookout for Snow Mold, or you might miss it!
The transition from Winter to Spring may not always be the most pleasing to the eye, but Snow Mold just goes to show that there is always something to keep your eyes open for; even if it is just a fungus growing under the snow in your yard. And, Snow Mold gets me excited for what other fascinating fungi I will find this summer!
2 Comments
Bob Hanson
3/29/2019 07:56:06 am
Great blog post, we have some mold in the front yard this spring, it’s good to here that warmer dry weather will take care of it. Thanks for the post, stop by if you are in town...
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Megan Betcher
3/31/2019 07:41:15 pm
Thanks for reading, Bob! In no time the mold will be gone and the grass will be green!
Reply
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