Snow Mold and Spring Lawn Recovery Tips

For homeowners in Billings, the end of winter doesn’t just bring warmer temperatures—it also reveals what’s been brewing beneath the snow. One of the most common and frustrating lawn issues in early spring is snow mold, a cold-weather fungus that can leave grass looking patchy, matted, and discolored. At Horizon Landscape & Irrigation, we help local residents tackle this problem early to restore their lawns quickly and effectively.

What Is Snow Mold?

Snow mold is a lawn disease that appears when snow melts and reveals circular patches of gray or pink grass, often with a crusty or matted texture. It thrives in cool, wet conditions, particularly when early snowfalls cover grass that hasn’t fully gone dormant or hasn’t been mowed low enough. There are two main types: gray snow mold (Typhula) and pink snow mold (Microdochium). While gray snow mold damages only the blades, pink snow mold can affect the crowns and roots, making it the more serious of the two.

How to Identify and Respond Quickly

Once the snow recedes and you notice strange patches in your lawn, don’t panic—but do act. The key to recovery is getting air and sunlight to the affected areas. Rake gently to loosen matted grass, which allows the lawn to breathe and encourages new growth. Avoid aggressive raking, as the grass is often still fragile from winter dormancy.

You may also want to apply a light spring fertilizer to give your lawn a boost, but only once the soil is no longer frozen. Adding more seed to especially damaged spots can help speed up recovery, especially if your lawn is Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue, which respond well to spring overseeding.

Prevention Starts in the Fall

While you can’t control Montana’s snowfall, you can take steps in the fall to reduce the risk of snow mold. Make your final mow a low one—around 2 to 2.5 inches—so long grass doesn’t get trapped and matted under early snow. Avoid applying heavy nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this can encourage soft, lush growth that’s more prone to mold.

Proper drainage and aeration are also essential. Compacted soil holds water longer, which invites fungus. By aerating your lawn in fall and improving soil structure, you give moisture a better path to drain away from the roots.

Get Your Lawn Back with Horizon’s Help

Snow mold is a setback, not a death sentence for your yard. With early attention and smart recovery techniques, your grass can bounce back in time for a full, green summer. At Horizon Landscape & Irrigation, we offer tailored spring lawn care services, including dethatching, fertilizing, aeration, and reseeding—so you don’t have to handle recovery alone.

Ready to revive your lawn? Contact us at https://horizonlandscapemt.com to schedule your spring lawn evaluation. We’ll help you shake off the snow mold and start the season strong.