For many people, the color green is associated with money, nature, and growth. As I sit and look out my window right now, however, I see mostly brown…leafless trees, dormant turf, and patches of snow mold scattered across my lawn. It’s not exactly inspiring at first glance.

What keeps me excited are the early sights and sounds that signal spring is on its way. Sandhill Cranes returning from their winter journey south, the familiar calls of Cardinals and Red-Winged Blackbirds, and slightly warmer temperatures each day slowly nudging my lawn from dormant brown toward hints of green. Spring is a season of renewal, rebirth, and growth, and that’s what makes this time of year so energizing.

Just as winter can be tough on people after months of cold and confinement, it can be equally stressful for turf. In my own lawn, I see a little of everything: areas damaged by ice and desiccation that will need reseeding, sections that stayed insulated under snow and are already greening up, and others that remain dormant. Then there are the strange circular patches that make the yard look like something from outer space, clear signs of snow mold. Lastly, there are a few areas that are completely bare, where I may have gone a little too far with the snow blower….

So what should you do with these problem areas? Let’s start with snow mold. Snow mold is a common fungal lawn disease that appears in early spring as matted, dead patches of grass, typically 3 to 12 inches in diameter, with white, gray, or pinkish mold-like growth. It thrives in cool, wet conditions, especially under prolonged snow cover or layers of debris.

If you notice snow mold damage, the good news is that it’s usually cosmetic. Fungicide applications are not effective at this stage. Instead, gently rake the affected areas to break up the matted turf and improve air movement. This helps the grass dry out and allows healthy blades to resume growth. Once the ground has thawed, applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer will encourage recovery and help the turf grow out of the damage. With a little patience, most lawns bounce back quickly.

Now, what about the areas that don’t recover and need reseeding? The most important step here is proper seed-to-soil contact. A great approach is to mix grass seed with soil before applying it to bare areas, you can even add in some fertilizer to this mix. Seed that sits on top of the ground struggles to establish, and this is where many homeowners unintentionally go wrong. By working seed into the soil and tamping it down, you create the conditions needed for strong germination and healthy root development.

Spring may not look perfect right away, but it’s a critical time for setting your lawn up for success. Addressing winter damage early, encouraging new growth, and giving your turf what it needs now will pay dividends all season long. As the weeks go by, those brown patches fade, green takes over, and the lawn reminds us why spring truly is the season of growth.

About the Author

Luke McGhee

Luke McGhee serves as an Associate Director of Operations for Weed Man Lawn Care E3 Group. A 2014 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Soil Science-Turf Management, Luke began his career as an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at various golf courses and resort properties before becoming a Weed Man franchise owner in the Racine-Kenosha market in 2018.

Today, Luke partners with regional leaders to develop teams, drive operational excellence, and ensure a consistent, customer-first service experience that delivers long-term value for both customers and the E3 Group.