How to Get Rid of Moss in a Lawn
Moss flourishes in shade and consistently damp soil, but the primary reasons you may have it in your lawn are compacted soil and very acidic soil. Learn how to get rid of it from the experts at Jonathan Green. We can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful, moss-free lawn.
Jonathan Green has been growing lush, dark-green lawns since 1881. We supply genetically superior cool-season grass seed and other lawn and soil care products to commercial sod growers and independent home and garden retailers in all areas of the United States where cool-season lawn grasses – Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, and Fine Fescues – are grown.
What is Moss?
Moss is a small, green, shallow-rooted plant with finely branched stems and tiny leaves. It’s actually a prehistoric plant that gets some of the nutrients it needs from water and makes its own food through photosynthesis.
Moss spreads by spores in the wind and only needs moisture to germinate and mature. The plants can grow in virtually any type of soil, including conditions that even turfgrasses can’t endure. Some types of moss even like to grow in dry, sunny areas.
While moss won’t take over or kill your lawn, it will fill in the spaces where the lawn is thin. If this is happening to your lawn, it’s an indication that you have a larger problem, such as compacted soil, poor drainage, low soil pH, or too much shade.
You could rake out the moss and remove it from the lawn, but this is just a temporary solution. The best way to eliminate moss is to feed your lawn AND your soil to encourage your lawn to thrive.
How to Prevent and Control Moss
The best time to treat moss is when it’s actively growing. That typically happens during the fall or warm winter rains and in early spring. By improving the conditions of your lawn and soil and treating the moss with the right products, you can kill the moss quickly and keep it from coming back.
Raise the Soil pH – Moss will flourish in low pH soil conditions. Test your soil with a Soil pH Test Kit for Lawns. If the result is lower than the optimal pH range of 6.2 to 7.0 (the soil/distilled water solution in the test tube that comes with the kit turns a reddish/orange color), apply our Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Acidic & Hard Soil to raise the pH. MAG-I-CAL® is a highly soluble form of calcium that can be applied at any time during the growing season.
Aerate Compacted Soil – Once you have balanced the pH level of the soil, use Jonathan Green Love Your Soil® to loosen and aerate it, improve the drainage, and make it easier for grass plant roots to grow instead of unsightly moss. Love Your Soil® will also activate the microbes in the soil, making it easier for the grass roots to absorb nutrients, making them stronger and healthier.
Apply Lawn Moss Control – Quickly kill lawn moss with Jonathan Green’s Lawn Moss Control. It includes 50% more active ingredient in each 5,000 sq. ft. bag compared with other brands and can be used anytime. Lightly rake the lawn to remove leaves and dead grass. Mow moss-covered areas to fully expose the moss and allow the product to enter the soil more easily. Speed up the killing action by watering after application.
Trim Back Tree Limbs – Grass plants need plenty of sunlight in order to photosynthesize and thrive properly. If too much shade is making it hospitable for moss to grow in your lawn, encourage more sunlight by thinning tree limbs and trimming back other plants or bushes that surround the lawn.
Mentioned Products
Wondering how to get rid of moss in your lawn? Look no further than the experts at Jonathan Green for the answers you need. Visit Jonathan Green online, or visit your local independent retailer for reliable lawn and garden advice.