Slime mold, those primitive fungi-like organisms, do not pose any threat to your lawn, but darn, they are ugly. So, while harmless, slime mold can detract from your lawn’s aesthetic appeal, making an area that once looked pristine unsightly if left untreated.
Don’t panic if you find slime mold on your lawn, as it only lingers for about a week. However, if you can’t wait for it to disappear on its own, you’ll be happy to know there are ways to remove it.
This article explores all things slime mold, including what it is and how to safely and effectively remove it from your lawn. Ultimately, you’ll have a clearer picture of slime mold and how to address this issue.
What is Slime Mold on Grass?
Slime mold is neither a true fungus, animal, nor plant. This primitive, single-celled organism belongs to the kingdom Protista and Myxomycetes class and has an amoeba-like appearance. There are more than 700 slime mold varieties.
Slime mold is sometimes known as “dog vomit fungus” since it looks like a dog’s vomit. Slime molds use turfgrass as structural support but don’t damage it. They do not feed on grass blades or vegetation but instead consume decaying matter, fungal spores, and bacteria.
Slime mold spores stay viable for several years until the right conditions for growth appear.
Appearance
On grass, slime mold can appear as slimy, thin, irregular, or circular-shaped deposits covering the grass blades. It appears in many colors: yellow, white, orange, black, pink, grey, purple, and brown. Over time, the slime mold becomes crusty as it dries out.
Slime mold measures 4-8 inches in diameter.
Causes of Slime Mold on Grass
Slime mold requires specific conditions to grow. Below are the conditions that contribute to slime mold appearing on your lawn.
a) Excess Moisture
Slime mold thrives in damp conditions. So, if your lawn is consistently wet due to prolonged rainfall, overwatering, heavy dew, and poor drainage, the area becomes conducive for a slime mold to germinate and spread on your grass blades.
b) Warm Temperatures
Aside from moisture, warmth fosters slime mold growth. Therefore, mold is more likely to appear on your grass during warm temperatures, typically during late spring, summer, and early fall.
c) Organic Matter Accumulation
Since slime mold feeds on decaying plant materials, excessive organic matter, grass clippings, and a thick thatch layer will make your lawn attractive to slime mold. Besides providing food to slime mold, organic debris, especially thatch, traps moisture and shades the grass, keeping it damp for longer.
d) Lack of Sunlight
Parts of your lawn that receive little to no sunlight are favorable for slime mold growth because grass and soil stay wet much longer in the shade.
e) Inadequate Airflow
Poor airflow also encourages slime mold to appear on your grass. But why’s that, you ask? Proper airflow helps the lawn dry out and avoid retaining too much moisture. So, without proper airflow, your lawn can become prone to dampness and high humidity, which support slime mold.
d) High Humidity
High humidity tends to keep the soil and grass in your lawn consistently damp, which slime molds need to transition from dormant to active stage. In addition, organic materials such as grass clippings, twigs, leaves, and mulch decompose faster in humid conditions.
Read More: Does Soapy Water Kill Lawn Fungus
How To Treat Slime Mold On Lawn
So, slime molds have invaded your lawn for one reason or the other. Below is how to tackle this problem effectively and make your lawn look visually appealing again.
1. Physical Removal
This is the most straightforward method of getting rid of slime mold and is quite effective. Employ any of these strategies to remove slime mold manually.
2. Blast It with Water
You can wash away slime mold by directing a strong water jet on it. Aim for the water to fall directly on the slime mold, but be careful not to damage the grass. This strategy works because slime mold is relatively fragile and dislodges easily.
3. Raking
Gently scrape slime mold off your lawn using a garden or leaf rake.
4. Brushing
You can also remove slime mold with a brush or broom with hard bristles.
5. Mowing
Another way to physically tackle slime mold is by mowing over the affected grass blades.
6. Scooping
Scooping slime mold off your grass with a shovel is another effective removal method.
7. Dethatching
Removing the thatch layer in your lawn eliminates the decaying matter that commonly causes slime mold and removes the slime mold in the process as well.
Read More: Pros and Cons of Dethatching Your Lawn
Dispose of slime mold properly, away from your lawn, after physically removing it to prevent regrowth. Also, water your lawn afterward to aid grass recovery.
What about using fungicides?
Chemical control methods like fungicides aren’t necessary to control slime mold because fungicides won’t stop the spore masses from developing. Also, while slime molds are harmless to your lawn, the same can’t be said about fungicides. These chemicals can hurt the beneficial organisms and ruin the soil structure.
Prevention Strategies for Slime Mold
Slime mold will return to your lawn even after a successful removal if you don’t eradicate the reasons it grew in the first place. Considering this, below are ways of preventing slime mold.
i) Improve Drainage
Address drainage issues on your lawn to prevent water stagnation and keep the grass and soil drier. Do so by fixing soil compaction or grading issues. Also, aerate and dethatch your lawn regularly for better penetration and air circulation.
Note
Help your lawn dry out after heavy rainfall by raking out mulch.
ii) Clear Organic Debris
Make your lawn less appealing to slime mold by regularly clearing organic debris like grass clippings and fallen leaves. Moreover, remove excess thatch accumulation from your lawn annually or as needed.
iii) Water Your Lawn Properly
As established, too much moisture in the lawn promotes slime mold growth, so avoid overwatering your grass. Let the top soil dry out first before watering. Also, water deeply and infrequently.
iv) Increase Sunlight Exposure
Your lawn will be less hospitable to slime mold if it receives ample sunlight. Overhanging tree branches and overgrown shrubs can block sunlight from reaching your lawn, so trim them often. Also, consider relocating structures like sheds blocking sunlight from reaching the lawn.
v) Keep The Grass Short
Shorter grass dries faster than longer ones, thus minimizing damp conditions. Therefore, mow your lawn regularly but not too short, as that will stress the grass.
To Summarize,
The appearance of slime mold on your lawn shouldn’t send you into a frenzy because the biggest issue they pose is ruining the lawn’s aesthetics. In fact, it can be good for your lawn as it can consume bacteria and plant pathogens. Also, the removal is pretty straightforward and doesn’t require chemical interventions. So, whether you decide to remove slime mold or leave it be, it shouldn’t stress you.
Hey there, I’m Derek Schew, a writer for Lawnholic.com, where we cover everything and anything related to lawns. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to my own lawn, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve the perfect yard. From lawn care tips to product reviews, I’m committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. So whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or just getting started, I invite you to join our community and discover the joys of a lush, green lawn.