The yard & garden line is OPEN

[Smokin Joe]

Question from Omaha, Nebraska.

We had a terrible winter (heavy snowfall) that created snow mold on lawns. Any thoughts on what to use to either prevent or keep it from getting worse?

[SunDeck]

I have not had much experience with snow molds, but from what I know they can be reduced best by letting your grass go into its dormant cycle as naturally as possible. That means not fertilizing within about six weeks of the date your lawn will go dormant. Additionally, making sure to remove grass clippings and leaves from the lawn helps to reduce the cultural characteristics that molds thrive in. If you get an early snow, before the grass goes dormant, that's when snow molds are likely to develop. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to prevent it, but you can try to be conscious of where you are mounding snow, like near the driveway and walks, because the micro environment underneath those piles of snow creates good conditions for molds.

Snow mold will usually clear up in the spring. Treat the spots where the grass is dead- rough up the dead spot and seed it.

[KYRedsFan]

Originally Posted by SunDeck

Looks like a kind of Lichen to me. I'd probably power wash it, but don't use the highest setting. Just enough to clean it off. Stone is tough, but not indestructible.

Is that the north side of your house or is it constantly shaded?

It is in pretty direct sunlight most of the day. Backyard faces southeast

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by KYRedsFan

It is in pretty direct sunlight most of the day. Backyard faces southeast

Interesting- I would have expected less light. Anyway, from the little I know of it, I think powerwashing would be my first step.

[15fan]

I concur. When in doubt, power wash.

[Roy Tucker]

Originally Posted by SunDeck

Interesting- I would have expected less light. Anyway, from the little I know of it, I think powerwashing would be my first step.

When powerwashing would pretty well destroy the surface, I've used a weak bleach solution to get rid of moss as well.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by Roy Tucker

When powerwashing would pretty well destroy the surface, I've used a weak bleach solution to get rid of moss as well.

Just watch out for any surrounding plants. Same goes for using oxalic acid, one of the most awesome wood brightening products you can find. It will kill mosses and lichens, I'm sure. Just use lots of water to rinse so that whatever hits the plants is diluted and washed off.

[15fan]

Hey KY: Is there a tree or anything that hangs over the patio? We have a massive oak that hangs over our deck. Couple of years ago, the tree got aphids/scale. Our deck would get nasty. I would pressure wash, but the deck would be disgusting again in a matter of days. Once we had the tree treated by an arborist for the scale, the nasty drippings stopped and the deck would stay clean.

[KYRedsFan]

Thanks for the further replies. No, no trees in the area, and yeah, I'm suprised anything could be on there due to the amount of sunlight we can get. Oh well, power washing always seemed like a fun tool to play around with so may start there and see what happens.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by KYRedsFan

Thanks for the further replies. No, no trees in the area, and yeah, I'm suprised anything could be on there due to the amount of sunlight we can get. Oh well, power washing always seemed like a fun tool to play around with so may start there and see what happens.

Just try to use the lowest possible psi.

[klw]

I am planning on moving at least one maple sapling this fall. Should I do it now or in a month when the leaves are off it. I am in Northern Vermont if that makes a difference or even if it doesn't.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by klw

I am planning on moving at least one maple sapling this fall. Should I do it now or in a month when the leaves are off it. I am in Northern Vermont if that makes a difference or even if it doesn't.

I've always been partial to planting trees in the fall. Leaves may be gone, but roots are still active, which gives them a little head start on getting established so you don't have to worry as much about watering in the next summer. Not that you should neglect the watering.

[Roy Tucker]

The fall is when we plant trees for the reasons SunDeck said. They get settled in their hole and get to wake up slowly next spring in the natural cycle of things.

With the climate being the way its been, we've also invested in those tree watering bags and use them on young trees.

A good time for putting in a lawn as well.

[klw]

Up here it is essentially fall now. Should I wait until the leaves are off or just whenever it is a good opportunity? We are not expected to reach 80 again this season. Ex. Here is my forecast for the next week.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...tField2=-72.17

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by klw

Up here it is essentially fall now. Should I wait until the leaves are off or just whenever it is a good opportunity? We are not expected to reach 80 again this season. Ex. Here is my forecast for the next week.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...tField2=-72.17

Do it now. Whatever leaves are on there are not growing or drawing nutrients away from the rest of the tree.