Take Control of Your Moss Problem

What is Moss?

Moss is a shallow-rooted plant that spreads by dispersing spores and growing root-like structures called rhizoids. It wet, gray areas starting in spring growing during the summer months until fall.

Moss won't kill your grass or yard, but it will fill in where the grass is fragile and struggling. This can also indicate a rooted problem in the soil. Some of the first steps to truly rid your lawn of fuzzy moss is to find the buried issue.

 

Typical Issues to Check:

• Compacted soil - Kills grassroots and creates a flat area for moss to grow
• Poor drainage – Always moist or moistened soil will suffocate grass roots and provide a major, drenched area to grow in
• Low pH - Grass needs moderate or slightly alkaline soil to make it
• Not enough sunlight – An unlit grassy area makes it hard for grass to grow and it is the preferred lighting for fuzzy moss.

Once you have singled out the problem, you can begin the process of killing the green moss and replanting the grass.

1. Start by applying a ‘moss killer’ to the fuzzy moss in your yard, which is more potent during moist, wet days. Mowing your lawn low to the ground before applying it can help unmask hidden moss.
2. After the moss is black and dead, rake the areas you want to remove it from and gert rid of it in a lawn trash bag.
3. Seed missing grass areas with your desired grass seed.
4. Keep the ground wet until the grass has been established and is growing strong.

Kill that Green Moss Before it Even Appears

Knowing how to get rid of moss isn't as important as having a fresh & strong lawn. Mending what was amiss with your grass in the first place is the most important step to take when preventing fuzzy moss from returning.

1. If parts of your lawn are receiving less then 3 hours of sun and warmth per day, you can trim tree branches to allow more light to come through. For shadier areas with 3-4 hours of direct sunlight, pick and plant shade-tolerant grass seed in those spots.
2. Take care of your lawn by faithfully feeding it and mowing when your grass is at the highest recommended height for your grass type to encourage deep rooting.
3. Aerate compressed soils and fuse soils rich in composted materials to support and improve drainage. Only water the lawn when necessary; most lawns only need 1 inch of water per week.