Tips To Get Rid Of Moss In The Garden And On The Lawn

Moss growing in your lawn or garden can be frustrating if you do not want it there. Ridding lawn of moss takes a little work, but it can be done. Killing moss is really a matter of making your lawn an unsuitable place for moss to grow. Let's look at how to kill moss.

Why Moss Grows in Lawns

The first thing to understand before taking steps for killing moss is that moss is an opportunistic plant. It will not push out grass or kill plants to take hold. It will simply move in to a spot where nothing is growing. Moss in your lawn is normally an indicator that something deeper is wrong with your lawn, and the moss is simply taking advantage of the empty dirt that dead grass left behind. So really, the first step to truly ridding your lawn of moss is to first treat the deeper issue with your lawn. First, check for the following reasons why your grass may be dying, as these reasons not only kill the grass but create an ideal environment for moss.

• Compacted soil - soil compaction kills grass roots and creates a smooth area for moss to hold onto.
• Poor drainage - soil that is continually damp or even swampy will suffocate grass roots and also provide a damp environment that moss loves.
• Low pH - Grass needs a moderate or slightly alkaline soil to thrive. If your soil has a low pH and is high in acid, it will kill the grass. Coincidentally, moss thrives in high acid soil.
• Lack of sunlight - Shade is notorious for making it difficult for grass to grow. It is also the preferred light for moss.

How to Kill Moss

Once you have identified and corrected the problem that was causing the grass to die in the first place, you can start the process of killing the moss and replanting the grass.

1. Start by applying a moss killer to the moss in your lawn. These products normally contain ferrous sulfate or ferrous ammonium sulfate.
2. Once the moss is dead, rake it off of the area that you want to remove it from.
3. Seed the area with your desired grass seed.
4. Keep the seeds moist until the grass has been established again.

Knowing how to kill green moss is not as important as how to have a healthy lawn. Remember, when you kill moss in the lawn, you will only be successful if you take steps to ensure that your lawn is healthy. Without correcting your lawn's problems, you will only find yourself ridding your lawn of moss again. Note: Any recommendations pertaining to the use of chemicals are for informational purposes only. Chemical control should only be used as a last resort, as organic approaches are safer and more environmentally friendly.