Moss is a primitive plant that has been with us for millions of years. It grows on almost any porous surface and in many exposures. It grows in sun or shade, on soil, rocks, tree bark, concrete and lumber. Moss doesn’t need any special conditions, except occasional water to grow.
• Moss in new landscapes
In new landscapes moss can take two or three years to develop. During that time, you can slow it’s development, reducing the need to renovate or repair the lawn. Make sure you complete these important steps.
• Fertilize 6-7 times each year with a high quality fertilizer. This keeps the grass thick, reducing the chance of moss growing in the first place.
• Aerate the lawn yearly to improve air circulation which moss hates.
• Apply lime each winter to keep the pH (soil acid control) lower. Lime doesn’t kill moss it slows it’s development.
• Apply a moss control product or a fertilizer containing iron each spring to dehydrate moss. Moss will turn dark brown or black and then should be raked out and the lawn over seeded.
• Moss in older lawns
In older lawns that have heavy established moss problems (moss over 1 inch thick in large patches) you must be more aggressive.
Moss doesn’t decompose quickly like treated weeds do. In fact moss seldom dies completely. Treated moss is merely in a dehydrated state.
Follow all the new landscape steps above and add the extra steps below:
• If any green moss still exists 2-4 weeks after the first treatment, apply a second moss control treatment.
Follow the label directions to avoid burning the lawn.
• Pull out heavy deposits of moss either with heavy raking or by using a power de-thatcher.
• As a final step, aerate your lawn and heavily over seed with grass seed to get the moss under control.
• Remember to follow the new lawn procedures yearly to keep the moss in check in the future.
