For homeowners with grass lawns, moss can be a problematic weed. Lawn moss appears in shady, damp areas and spreads quickly because it doesn’t need seeds to reproduce. Luckily, there are options for cleaning up a mess of moss.
Here is a basic guide to removing existing moss and preventing future moss growth in your lawn:
Moss has very shallow roots, making it easy to remove with a rake. This process works best when the surface is moist, so try it after watering the lawn.
For future moss prevention, “dethatching” and aerating the lawn is a process that can help. Getting rid of thatch, or the layer of dead grass tissue between the roots and new growth, helps improve air and moisture circulation in the lawn.
Unfortunately, most popular herbicides used for weed control don’t control moss. However, there are some formulas specifically labeled as “moss killers” and contain the right amount of chemicals needed to target and kill moss growth.
If you want to avoid using a chemical moss killer, you can make a DIY solution with household products like baking soda or dish soap. Mixed with water and put into a garden sprayer, these can work just as well as the store bought chemicals.
Moss is an opportunistic weed, and will often appear in already sparse areas of the lawn. If the type of grass you have planted struggles to survive in the shade, consider replacing it with a shade-tolerant variety to keep the moss at bay. Tall fescue grass is an example of a grass type that can crowd out moss growth once established.
There are more than just these methods for removing and preventing lawn moss. However, starting with these basics will help you get rid of moss and ensure your lawn is full of healthy grass.
Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and almost two years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.
Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for almost a decade now.
The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!