Reader Question Answered!

Tom S. of Grand Forks emailed me this question:

When you get together with the experts can you find out why I have 1 ft. - 3 ft. patches of completely dead areas in my lawn. There doesn't seem to be a reason for why or where they are located. My neighbors seem to have the same issues and they don't have a clue either.

Here's NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist Steve Sagaser's response.

In most cases these spots are caused from Pink Snowmold. Cool wet weather in the fall and again in the spring causes snowmold to develop. Usually the crowns (area of the plant next to the soil) of the grass plant are not killed and they will recover on their own. Homeowners should use a leaf rake to remove the dead grass, and if they want to, they can sprinkle some seed on the bare soil. Sprinkling a light layer of peat over the new seed will protect it and help to get germination started. Daily light waterings are needed until the new grass plants are about three weeks old. If no seeding is done, the grass will probably still recover on its own although it will take a few weeks for that to happen.

Email your questions to me at msmith@wdaz.com and I'll find the experts to answer them.