We’ve been having a couple of nice days for the past couple of weeks and you’re probably starting to get out and look at your lawn, landscaping, and maybe even prepare your garden for this spring or summer. Well, in the Pacific Northwest, I’m sure you’ve noticed some moss growing on rocks, hard ground, and even in your lawn. That’s definitely the norm around our wet climate so how can you get rid of it and why is it there? What can you do to rid yourself of moss on your lawn?
Typically, moss is an indication that you have less than ideal conditions for growing grass. While the weed is not necessarily causing the problem it is an effect of it. You can have moss because of low soil pH, lack of necessary ingredients and nutrients, poor drainage, or excessive shade. Moss loves that wet, damp, shaded area so if you have a lot of that in your front or back yard, moss is probably prevalent.
How to get rid of moss permanently
An investigation is the first key so that you know what’s going on in your soil. A quick soil sample and test can tell you if your lawn is lacking the necessary nutrients for growing a healthy lawn. This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. It could be soil-related issues and then it could be a lack of nutrients. This is typically an indicator that your soil’s pH is overly acidic. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need more alkaline soil but the grass might need more alkaline to compete effectively against the moss. Simply apply garden lime to the ground and then fertilize the lawn on a regular basis.
Poor drainage can also invite moss. Check the type of soil and if it’s high in clay, it can gather the moisture in puddles underneath the topsoil causing an imitation of moss. You may need a French drain or some other type of draining system, aerate the lawn and if you see standing water, it’s clear that you have a drainage issue.
Excessive shade may also be an issue. If you have too many trees covering over your lawn, it might be time to trim them back or send them. You might also consider growing a shade-tolerant type of grass.
But how do you get rid of the moss once you have it?
There are a lot of products that can get rid of moss such as Moss Out by Lilly Miller. This is a ready-to-spray concentrated formula that kills lawn moss along with dandelions and other common broadleaf weeds. It can also suppress fungal lawn diseases.
A natural way to kill moss is to mix 2 ounces of dish soap and 1 gallon of water and then spray the mixture on patches of moss. You want to hold the nozzle a couple of inches away from the target and drench the moss with the solution. Try not to spray the grass as it can also kill healthy grass. This may or may not be the best option, especially if your moss is growing in between a lot of grass that you want to keep.
Dethatching, raking, cleaning up, and then laying a layer of weed and feed is probably the best option to get rid of the moss immediately, clean up the yard, and create a healthy lawn from here on out. Of course, this is quite time-consuming but it is one of the best options. The key is if you can discourage lawn moss growth from the beginning. After you’ve cleaned up the moss, try to prevent it from here on out and your lawn will definitely thank you.
Need help getting rid of that moss in your lawn? Give us a call. Would love to help you spruce up your yard, backyard, lawn, or landscaping and get it ready for spring and summer enjoyment.