Do You Have a Moss Control Problem in Your Yard?

Time to learn about Moss

Moss is a shallow-rooted plant that spreads by dispersing spores and growing root-like structures called rhizoids. The green fuzzy stuff wet and cool places starting in spring growing during the summer months until fall.

It will not kill your grass, but it will fill in where the grass is thin and struggling. This can also indicate a deeper problem in the soil. The first step to truly rid your lawn of green moss is to find the buried issue.

 

Typical Underlying Issues:

• Compacted soil - Kills grassroots and creates a flat area for fuzzy moss to flourish
• Poor drainage – Continually damp or moistened soil will suffocate grass roots and provide a great, wet area to grow in
• Low pH - Grass needs moderate or slightly alkaline soil to thrive in all of the seasons
• Not enough sunlight – A shaded area makes it more laborious for grass to grow and it is the preferred lighting for green moss.

Once you have identified the issue, you can undertake the process of killing the moss and replanting the grass.

1. Start off by administering a ‘moss killer’ to the fuzzy moss in your lawn, which is efficient during cool, and damp days. Mowing your lawn low to the ground before applying it can help display hidden moss.
2. After the moss is black and dead, rake the areas you want to remove it from and dispose of it in a lawn trash bag.
3. Throw our seed in the areas where you are missing grass areas with your desired grass seed.
4. Keep the ground moist until the grass has been well-established and is developing strong.

Prevent More Moss

Knowing how to annihilate moss isn't as important as having a vigorous yard. Fixing what was incorrect with your grass in the first place is the most important step to take when stopping green moss from returning.

1. If spots of your grass are receiving less then 3 hours of sun and warmth per day, you can trim tree branches to allow more sunlight to shine through. For shadier areas with 3-4 hours of direct sunlight, pick and plant shade-tolerant grass in those spots.
2. Make an effort to take care of your lawn by regularly feeding it and mowing when your grass is at the highest recommended height for your grass type to encourage deep rooting.
3. Aerate compacted soils and incorporate soils rich in composted materials to promote and improve drainage. Only water the lawn when necessary; most lawns only need 1 inch of water per week.