Methods for Eliminating Moss from Lawns: Natural and Chemical Approaches Revealed by Garden Experts
Moss can be a pesky problem for homeowners, particularly in damp and shady areas. However, there are several ways to tackle this issue without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here's a guide to naturally treating and killing moss in lawns.
**Improving Lawn Conditions**
The first step in combating moss is to create conditions that discourage its growth. Start by testing and adjusting your soil pH. Moss thrives in acidic soil, so raising the pH to an ideal range of 6.0–7.0, using garden lime, can help discourage moss and support grass growth. Additionally, improving drainage is crucial. Aerating the soil and topdressing with gypsum can help reduce compaction and allow moisture to move through the soil more effectively, preventing the wet conditions moss favors. Pruning tree branches or raising canopies to allow more sunlight to reach the lawn can also help.
**Fostering a Healthy Lawn**
A healthy, thick lawn is less susceptible to moss invasion. Applying fertilizer, especially in autumn, can encourage thick grass growth that naturally outcompetes moss. If shade is unavoidable, consider planting shade-tolerant grass varieties like Buffalo grass, which can maintain full cover.
**Natural Moss Treatments**
For immediate moss control, consider an iron sulfate and gypsum blend. Apply a mix of 30g iron sulfate and 70g gypsum per square meter to a dry lawn. After 12 hours, water it in. Iron sulfate safely kills moss and greens the grass, while gypsum improves soil structure. Dead moss will blacken and die within a week, and can be raked out.
Another option is "Wet & Forget" type natural sprays. These user-friendly liquid treatments are safe for lawns and do not require scrubbing or rinsing. They work gradually over time to kill moss.
**Additional Tips**
Cut back on overwatering, as moss prefers damp conditions. Regularly rake out dead moss to prevent regrowth.
By combining these cultural practices with natural treatments like iron sulfate, you can effectively and safely eliminate moss from your lawn without resorting to harsher chemical herbicides. For those who prefer non-chemical solutions, products like Vitax Moss Remover (No Rake), which feeds the lawn at the same time as containing natural bacteria that digest the moss, and Maxicrop Moss Killer + Lawn Tonic, which combines a moss killer with fertiliser, are also options. Additionally, vinegar and baking soda can be used to kill moss, with vinegar being mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar and 1 litre water and baking soda being mixed with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of water. A lawn scarifier, a machine designed to remove 'thatch' from your lawn, can replace the need for raking.
[1] RHS (2021) Moss control: how to get rid of moss in your lawn. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=452 [2] Garden Myths (2021) Moss: The Causes and Cures. Available at: https://www.gardenmyths.com/moss-causes-cures/
- To create a moss-resistant lawn, consider using home-and-garden tools like garden lime to adjust the soil pH and gypsum for improving drainage.
- Employing design strategies such as pruning tree branches and planting shade-tolerant grass varieties can help foster a healthy lawn that naturally outcompetes moss.
- In cases of immediate moss control, utilize natural moss treatments like iron sulfate blends or Wet & Forget type sprays, ensuring a safe and effective solution for your home-and-garden needs.
- Maintaining a healthy lawn lifestyle may involve cutting back on overwatering, regularly raking out dead moss, and using eco-friendly products like Vitax Moss Remover or Maxicrop Moss Killer + Lawn Tonic, or homemade solutions such as vinegar and baking soda.
