Mosses are a group of small plants called bryophytes that depend on moisture to reproduce. They spread through spores and are often found growing on outdoor surfaces. Mosses remain dormant in dry weather but can revive during periods of rain and can usually be found growing on any surface where conditions are shady and damp, including rocks, tree bark, soil, and outdoor walls. Moss growth initially resembles thin, matted hair, but as it grows, buds appear and small stems and leaves grow from these buds.
The presence of moss on the lawn is a sign of excess humidity, lack of sun, or poorly ventilated or acidic soil. The existence of moss causes a halt in the proper growth of the grass. Moss is just as harmful to healthy grass as weeds, so we must not only know how to eliminate it but also how to prevent it.
A scarification eliminates the moss in an effective way, at the root. The same is achieved with the use of a rake or a three-tine cultivator at a considerable depth. It is advisable to sandblast after scarification to reduce the acidity of the soil. The key is to aerate the grass frequently to promote soil ventilation, thus preventing the growth of moss, especially during the rainy season.
Chemical-based lawn disease control with anti-moss products should be done between February and March. The most used product is iron sulfate. We must be careful in its application since it reddens any object within its reach. There are also anti-moss fertilizers, including anti-moss herbicides. The use of any synthetic chemical therapy on moss should consider the surrounding plants because instead of just removing the moss, we may be killing other plants.
A very effective home trick to eliminate moss is soap or dish detergent. You add two tablespoons of this to a liter of warm water and spray the mixture on the moss until it yellows and dies. Then with a rake, it is uprooted. This is one of the “age-old” techniques often used by many American households. There is no harm in trying this trick.
If the area cleaned of moss is bald after treatment, we will have to replant with renewal grass to clean up the area. If we use a garden roller we help the seeds settle and mix with the soil, thus promoting germination. By watering your lawn abundantly, it will regain its former healthy appearance in no time.
To prevent the growth of moss and avoid abrasive chemical treatments, the work must be carried out beforehand, through fertilization every spring, reducing the acidity of the soil, and through responsible irrigation that does not waterlog the grass. The sun is important, so if your garden only has shade, you should choose a species of grass suitable for these conditions. Anyway, the removal and prevention of moss from your lawn need to be done regularly and consider several aspects, for example, the aesthetic aspect. Hopefully, this article was useful. Thanks for reading!
