Moss Keeping You from Enjoying Your Patio? Get Rid of Moss in Your Lawn by Doing These Two Things!
A soft patch of moss under an old tree in the woods may be the idyllic place to take a break while out walking, but having a moss-covered yard isn’t so ideal. Eliminating moss from your property requires a different approach than tackling other unwanted plant removals. In order to get rid of moss in your lawn, first focus on removing it and then continue by preventing new growth.
Getting Rid of Moss
Moss is not a deeply rooted plant; therefore it is easy to remove most of it with aggressive raking using a spring-tine rake. For larger areas or if you prefer not to rake manually, you can attach a de-hatching blade to your a lawn mower and set it just to touch the top of the bare soil. You may have to mow the same areas several times before almost all the visible moss is gone. Interested in a more in-depth guide? Check this out!
After raking or mowing the moss, you will probably have some moss and moss spores remaining. Now is an excellent time to apply a moss control. Here you can choose either a commercial moss control product or opt for a homemade solution. Many homeowners find that a box of baking soda dissolved in 2 gallons of warm water then directly sprayed onto the newly raked area dries out and kills any remaining moss.
Preventing Moss From Returning
After spending the time getting rid of your lawn’s existing moss problem, the last thing you want is for it to come back next year. The good news is that moss grows under only particular conditions and by amending the soil in your yard you can get your moss problem under control once and for all.
Moss loves shady, moist soil with a low pH level. These are the exact opposite requirements which most grass needs to grow well. By modifying these conditions, you can not only stop moss from growing but can encourage grass to grow in its place.
First, remove any overhanging branches to provide more direct sunlight to reach your yard. This may require excessive pruning of your existing trees or their complete removal. Pruning high, large branches and removing entire trees are dangerous and you should consider hiring a professional if you choose to go this route unless you have the experience to do it safely on your own.
Next, determine why your soil is excessively damp. One common reason for dampness is soil compactness due to heavy foot traffic or a higher percentage of clay, In these cases, you should aerate your soil to depending on which type of grass you want to grow. Warm-weather grasses need aeration in the spring while you should aerate your cool-weather grasses in the fall. Besides compact soil, your lawn may require adding more drainage and avoid overwatering.
Once your lawn has enough light and is drier, you may need to increase its pH to discourage moss from returning by applying garden lime, or other supplements. It is a good idea to get your soil tested in a lab for you to get the best results. Finally, plant grass or another ground cover in the bare patch.
A little moss isn’t necessarily a bad thing but when it keeps you from enjoying your patio, it might be time to take action. Are you too busy to give your lawn the proper care it needs? Contact Green Acres Landscape Inc. in Salem, Oregon for complete home yard care solutions.