Moss is a small herbaceous plant that absorbs nutrients and water mainly through its leaves. Unlike other weeds, it is not detrimental to grass. However, it is a sign that the lawn requires more care than simply removing the unwanted plant.
Luckily, you can quickly remove this plant and keep your lawn moss-free. Various factors encourage moss growth, and knowing which one is affecting the lawn is the key to preventing the problem in the first place.
Common Causes of Moss Growth
Poor soil conditions such as excessive thatch and soil compaction can encourage moss growth by restricting the distribution of water, nutrients, and oxygen to the grassroots. That’s why it is important to apply fertilizer and dethatch and aerate the lawn as needed. Here are other common causes of moss growth.
Soil conditions and moisture
Acidic soils can restrict the ability of plants to absorb nutrients and water from the ground. That’s not the case for moss because this plant thrives in acidic soil. Soil compaction, poor grading, and heavy clay concentration usually result in poor drainage, which can encourage moss growth.
Moss grows on surfaces as long as there’s moisture to support it. Paved surfaces that are regularly saturated by surface runoff or sprinklers are common areas where moss can grow and thrive.
Surface runoff from irrigation and rain also helps spread moss spores. Walled and heavily shaded areas that limit air movement create a humid environment that promotes moss growth.
Too little or too much water
Too little or too much water can promote moss growth, so you should water the lawn only when needed. A rain gauge can help you determine how much water your lawn is getting.
Aside from using a rain gauge, look for drought stress signs on the lawn, such as brown and wilting grass. Grass thins out during this period, allowing moss to grow when the rain and cold weather return.
Likewise, too much water is not good because it makes the soil too moist. Inadequate drainage can contribute to this problem too. Dethatching and aerating the lawn, filling in any low spots, and improving the lawn grading can help improve drainage.
Tips for Getting Rid of Moss
Moss can serve as a groundcover, filling up areas where the grass is sparse. However, you don’t want it to occupy your entire lawn. Since this plant has shallow roots, it’s easy and quick to remove. Here are two practical tips on how to get rid of lawn moss.
Organic
If you’re looking for a way on how to get rid of moss in a lawn without using chemicals, you should go for the organic option. You can mix baking soda or dish soap with lukewarm water to make a homemade herbicide that kills moss. If you prefer baking soda, you only need to empty a small box of this product into two gallons of water. Get one that is used for fridge deodorizing.
If you’re using soap, add two to four ounces of dish soap to two gallons of water. This amount should be enough to treat a 1000 sq ft lawn. You can also apply the solution to the grass using a garden sprayer. Soaking the moss will give you the best results. The solution will not damage the grass and surroundings, so you don’t need to worry about anything.
The moss will die and turn brown or orange after around 24 hours. Once it’s dead, you can easily remove it using a metal rake. Since spores can escape and start another invasion, you should collect and put the dead moss in sealed bags before disposing of it.
Chemicals
There are chemical herbicides that can feed the lawn and kill moss at the same time. These products are usually iron-based and available at local garden stores. The extra nutrients in these products also promote grass growth.
Remember, chemicals for other weeds can damage the grass and may not kill moss. So always use a product designed for moss removal. You should apply the chemical during the peak growing season of moss. Since moss likes cool, damp weather, the peak growth of this plant is usually early fall and spring.
You can still apply the herbicide even if you missed the peak season. All you need to do is follow the instructions for its application and wait for the product to take effect. So even if it’s not fall or spring, you can still get rid of moss in your lawn anytime.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get rid of moss in a lawn will help keep your grass healthy. Remember, moss won’t thrive in a lawn with dense and deep-rooted grass. So follow the tips mentioned above on how to get rid of moss on the lawn, and you will be able to maintain a healthy and beautiful backyard.