Temperatures are predicted to plummet across the UK, to -10deg in some places. That makes snow very likely. And while a snowy garden might look beautiful and whimsical, it can lead to problems, one of which is snow mould.
Snow mould is also known as Fusarium Patch. This fungus attacks the crown and leaf of a lawn during the period where snow melts. Signs of this disease include small patches of browning / yellowing, dying grass as well as lawns with a white, matted appearance.These patches can grow to 30cm or more, and will often merge together.
This disease is caused by a fungus called Microdochium nivale (formally Fusarium nivale) and is one of the most harmful diseases of turf grasses. It can also be tricky to control.
Fusarium patch is especially bothersome to annual meadow grass (Poa annua), but can also affect bents (Agrostis species), fescues (Festuca species) and perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne).
Preventing snow mould
The best way to prevent any diseases taking control of a lawn is to keep it healthy. It is often weak lawns that succumb to diseases. Therefore, it's important to observe good practice in garden hygiene and encouraging natural enemies. Chemical solutions are not ideal, but if they are used, it should be sparingly and in a highly targeted manner.
Thankfully, good cultivation methods and cultivar selection can help prevent snow mould, and at Paynes Turf, we take pride of excellence in both.