As March melts into April and the snow recedes to expose a mud laden landscape carpeted with brown grass, emotions of dread dance through your head. Is my lawn dead? Did the ice do my grass in or are there other factors at work here?
Most likely, if you live in the Northeast, you will have a combination of winter kill caused by ice and or cold windy days plus snow mold. Snow mold comes in several varieties and colors, pink (my favorite) to gray. Pink is rather common and often appears as cotton candy patches on your lawn, especially visible in the morning or after exposed from recently melted snow. After drying, the patches may appear tan to off white. While gray snow mold may cause some leaf death, it is usually not fatal since it does not spread into the crown like Pink does. Pink snow mold on the other hand, can cause turf death in severe infections. Don’t fear if you lawn appears thin and damaged in the spring as it will often recover- to varying degrees over time.
Your best option would have been to cut the turf short last Fall for the final mow, about 1” or so, military style, to help minimize or prevent these diseases. Your second choice is to lightly rake up the matted turf (preferably when dry) to allow air and sunlight to hit the ground. The sooner your turf begins to grow again, the better. Don’t apply crabgrass control or other herbicides early in March or April if snow mold is widespread. Instead, use a natural or organic fertilizer to promote growth gradually rather than induce a shock to the system with herbicides.
Is there a winter grass I can lay down that will die off in the spring when the other grass returns?
Without knowing the purpose/desire for seeding now and having the grass die in the spring, I will answer the question.
Winter Rye can germinate in cold soils and can help with erosion if the weather holds.
This cover crop will not die but will add organic matter to the soil. It can be tilled in the spring.
Winter Rye is used in gardens and agricultural settings.
In a lawn setting- you are still better off to seed with an appropriate grass for the site.
Depending upon the site- this could be a wide variety of grasses.
If the lawn is not finished or at grade, use a cheaper perennial rye if the plan is more work in the spring.
If the lawn is finished, I would need more information and visit the site to make additional recommendations.
Thank you for your question.
Theron W. Peck III
Turf & Soil Division Manager NH & VT
Plant Health Care Manager
603-448-4800
Directorio de articulos…
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