Gardeners urged to recognise snow mould or risk 'serious damage' to grass

Lawncare experts warn that leaving one item on your grass during winter can cause snow mould. image of green grass and yellow fallen leaves covered with white frost.

Lawns will be healthier if you remove 1 item from your garden that causes ‘serious damage'(Image: Getty)

While winter may seem like a dormant period in the garden, there’s still plenty happening both above and below the soil. Despite the slower pace, grass continues to grow and garden waste decomposes. This means it’s crucial to keep an eye out for signs of various lawn problems during the colder months.

This is particularly important as any damage caused now may not be repairable until spring if left untreated for too long. The lawn experts at Greensleeves have taken to their blog to share a few winter lawn issues to guard against. The main one they said gardeners are guilty of neglecting to remove is is snow mould.

Snow mould is a particularly damaging fungal disease that can rapidly spread across large areas of the lawn.

Snow Mould Web on Grass

Snow mould is a harmful disease that can quickly take hold of large portions of the lawn(Image: Getty)

While the name suggests it only occurs after snowfall, this isn’t the case for all species.

Many types thrive in mild weather, meaning your lawn can be especially vulnerable to it during the autumn and early spring periods as well, reports the Express.

The experts highlighted that “the best thing you can do” to try and prevent it is to be diligent with the rake to keep leaves off your lawn.

Mike Barney, a Greensleeves lawn care expert for Norwich, stated: “Without a doubt, the most common cause of a seriously damaged lawn in the winter is due to uncleared leaves.”

Nic warns that neglecting fallen leaves can have serious consequences, explaining: “Any leaves left lying on the lawn not only cause the sward to thin but also limit light and air movement.

Close-up of a rake being pulled through a pile of autumn fallen leaves on grass

The most common cause of a seriously damaged lawn in the winter is due to uncleared leaves(Image: Getty)

“[This] creates a perfect breeding ground for diseases such as fusarium patch (snow mould).”

He cautions about the rapid spread of this condition, adding: “Given the right conditions, this turf disease can quickly spread across the lawn.

“[This can] cause significant scarring, which will be slow to recover in the spring.”

A tell-tale sign of snow mould is small yellowish patches of dying grass that turn brown and spread rapidly.