Yard spots - Ask Extension
Late last year these dead-like areas started appearing in my yard. At firs I thought the grass was dying but the areas spread around the yard, and Iâ€...
Knowledgebase
Yard spots #862408
Asked March 24, 2024, 6:44 PM EDT
Late last year these dead-like areas started appearing in my yard. At firs I thought the grass was dying but the areas spread around the yard, and I’ve noticed this in neighbors yards also. I would appreciate any assistance in identifying this and how to treat it if it is a fungus or so similar. Thank you
Morrow County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the pictures. They appear to show a form of snow mold. Although there are several types, treatment and prevention are similar. Little need be done as spring and summer arrive.  Raking and aeration may be helpful. A soil test is recommended to determine any fertilization needs, as recommended with the test results. See: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132. For future deterrence, dethatching may be performed. In the fall, mow the grass to deter its falling over on itself and try to prevent snow from accumulating too high such that snow builds up.
The following links provide more extensive information:
https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1480
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-101-w.pdf
Thank you for your question.
Thanks for the pictures. They appear to show a form of snow mold. Although there are several types, treatment and prevention are similar. Little need be done as spring and summer arrive.  Raking and aeration may be helpful. A soil test is recommended to determine any fertilization needs, as recommended with the test results. See: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132. For future deterrence, dethatching may be performed. In the fall, mow the grass to deter its falling over on itself and try to prevent snow from accumulating too high such that snow builds up.
The following links provide more extensive information:
https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1480
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-101-w.pdf
Thank you for your question.
