What causes the gray, matted patches to appear in my lawn after the snow melts in the spring? Chances are those patches are caused by snow mold which is a turf fungal disease. Often these patches measure from 3 to 12 inches and can combine so that there are no apparent individual patches at all. There are steps you can take to prevent this from happening. As we approach the end of the mowing season, lower your mower deck to successively lower settings so the deck will be at it lowest setting (without scalping the grass) for the last 2 or three mowings. Be sure to remove or mulch any leaves that cover the grass in the fall. Grass left too long or that is smothered by leaves provides ideal conditions for the eruption of snow mold in the spring when we experience cool temperatures and moist turf.   < < < RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE | SEE ALL INSECTANDDISEASECONTROL F.A.Q.'s > > >