Moss, it's lovely but not in the lawn

In the last few years the moss has encroached into the lawn. While moss is pretty, it really doesn’t look very good once the dry, hot weather begins and dries it out. Here is what can cause conditions for the moss to thrive and the solution for ridding moss from areas it’s not wanted.

Moss grows where grass cannot survive, such as nutrient poor soil, soil with high acidity, soil that is compacted or drains poorly or where there is excessive shade or thatch accumulation. Sulphate of iron, also known as iron sulphate or ferrous sulphate, applied in winter or early spring kills moss.

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Blankets of moss may entice many to slip off their shoes and let their toes luxuriate in the velvety cushion provide by these lush, green byrophytes. Moss is commonly considered a beautiful addition to landscapes and is often introduced when growing conditions are unfavorable for grass. If patches of moss spring up in your lawn, however, it may indicate that the lawn is too moist, dark and lacking in nutrients. You can use organic iron sulphate to kill moss in grass, but you must also address the environmental concerns to prevent moss from recurring.

1

Mix 5 ounces of organic iron sulphate with 4 gallons of water for every 1,000 square feet of lawn to be treated. Add the organic iron sulphate solution to a garden sprayer.

2

Spray the organic iron sulphate mixture to saturate the entire lawn. Concentrate specifically on areas with existing moss, but spray the entire lawn to prevent future moss growth in all areas of the lawn.     Do not water the lawn after applying the iron sulphate treatment.

3

Allow the iron sulphate solution to work on killing the moss for several days. The moss will dry out and turn brown.

4

Rake the dead moss patches out of the lawn or pick them out by hand.

5

Spread 5 to 10 pounds of ground limestone per 1,000 square feet of lawn to neutralize the effects of the iron sulfate. A lawn spreader works well for treating large lawns, but you can simply dust the lawn with a cup of lime to treat small sections of lawn.

6

Add finished organic compost to the lawn to restore nutrients to the soil. Grass grows better in nutrient-rich soil. When soil lacks nutrients and grass growth is stunted, moss may easily take over the lawn.

7

Reseed any bare portions of the lawn with new grass seed. Over seeding the lawn promotes thick coverage, which helps to crowd out any future moss growth.

8

Trim large branches or remove other objects that create excess shade on the lawn. Shaded lawns dry out slowly. If you don't decrease the shade, conditions are still suitable for moss growth.

Things You Will Need

•      Garden sprayer
•      Garden rake
•      Ground limestone
•      Organic compost
•      Grass seed

Tip

•      While iron sulfate acts as a desiccant to dry out moss, it actually provides elements needed for turfgrass growth.