How to Combat Spring Snow Mold and Winter Turf Damage
Posted By Ben Pease, PhD, Agronomist on March 15, 2022
The calendar telling us spring is approaching doesn’t always mean winter’s problems are behind us. Snow mold sometimes has a way of lingering and winter turf damage can cause real problems as we look to get things on track for the season ahead. With that in mind, we’ve assembled a few product recommendations, so you don’t have to fight these battles alone.
SPRING SNOW MOLD
Extended snow cover and multiple freeze/thaw cycles could be pushing your snow mold fungicides to their limit. Even after the snow melts, snow mold pathogens may still be active and waiting to cause damage to your turf. With the ground still thawing, however, driving a sprayer across playing surfaces can cause ruts and damage delicate spring root systems.
Stop disease in its tracks with Versagard® Fungicide G, a granular fungicide containing three active ingredients to control many common turf diseases, including snow molds. Versagard can also be applied to exposed turf surfaces between snow events to extend your snow mold control on greens and tees.
VersaGard’s three-way active ingredient combination of chlorothalonil, propiconazole and fludioxonil provides excellent control of a wide array of turfgrass pathogens. Combining these active ingredients on our patented carrier makes for unparalleled granular coverage and easy application with any professional spreader from The Andersons.
For more information on VersaGard, click here.
WINTER TURF DAMAGE
Seeing winter turf damage as the snow recedes? An application of a complete granular fertilizer can help encourage turf growth and recovery.
Genesis Rx® 5-7-5 is an effective recovery fertilizer with the added benefit of humic acid. Recovery will also be encouraged by its slow- and fast-release nitrogen, readily-available phosphorus, and micronutrients. Contec DG® 7-14-14 is another option that also includes slow- and fast-release nitrogen with the added benefit of ammonium sulfate as a preferable cold-weather nitrogen source. Micronutrients and readily-available phosphorus are also benefits of Contec DG 7-14-14, along with its Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology.
Genesis Rx 5-7-5 features a combination of readily-available and slow-release nitrogen, secondary and minor elements, and Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology. This unmatched combination provides turfgrass with the necessary nutrition for optimal growth. Genesis Rx 5-7-5 utilizes both MAP (34%) and SmartPhos slow-release phosphorous (66%). This provides one-third of the P up-front and allows the other two-thirds to sit in reserves until it is needed by the plant. Genesis Rx 5-7-5 also contains 21.5% Humic DG™ (by weight), a humic acid-based product that delivers a carbon-rich food source to help stimulate soil microorganisms.
Contec DG 7-14-14 features both quick (ammonium sulfate) and slow-release (MUtech®) nitrogen sources, magnesium, and DG Technology.
Ben Pease, PhD is the Agronomist for The Andersons Turf & Specialty business, responsible for research, service, and technical support. Ben received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin, and earned his doctorate degree from Iowa State University. Ben has also served as the Assistant Superintendent for Cherokee Country Club (Madison, WI) and Whistling Straits Golf Courses (Sheboygan, WI). To contact Ben, click here.
©2022 The Andersons logo is a registered trademark of The Andersons, Inc. VersaGard, Genesis Rx, and Contec DG are registered trademarks of The Andersons, Inc. Humic DG is a trademark of The Andersons, Inc.
