The Causes of Lawn Moss Problems and How To Prevent Them

It does this by effectively choking the lawn grasses and depriving them of the essential nutrients in the soil.

If you have a moss problem your first instinct may be to reach for the moss killer. This may kill the moss in the short term but, unless you address the underlying problem of why the moss is growing in the first place, it will simply keep reappearing.

Moss killers have their place but you also need to look at the reasons why moss is growing in your lawn. Understanding the factors that encourage moss growth is the key to finding a long term solution.

Left unchecked a moss problem is only going to get worse over time so it is important to tackle it sooner rather than later.

Factors that can cause a lawn moss problem

• ... you live in a wet climate
• ... you have acid soil
• ... or a shady garden

• ... waterlogging due to poorly drained soil
• ... periods of drought
• ... an impoverished lawn due to inadequate feeding
• ... compacted soil
• ... worn turf in high traffic areas
• ... mowing too close and scalping the lawn
• ... excessive lawn thatch

As you can see, some of the factors involved are environmental and hard to eliminate but many are down to the way you maintain your lawn and good lawn care practices are a key weapon in your fight against lawn moss.

Solving your lawn moss problem. Step 1: Control the moss

Moss killers usually contain iron sulphate and the best time to apply them is in spring or early autumn. Follow the instructions on the pack and apply at the recommended rate.

If your lawn looks impoverished you can use a mosskiller combined with a fertilizer. These will not only kill the moss but will give your grass a boost at the same time.

After two to three weeks the moss will blacken and die and can be raked out.

Solving your lawn moss problem. Step 2: Address the underlying causes

Acid soil
If you think you have acid soil, carry out a soil pH test. It's cheap and easy and worth the trouble. If the pH is below 6.5 buy some garden lime (ground limestone) and apply it according to the instructions on the pack. This will raise the pH and deter moss.

Shady gardens
Most lawn grasses don't grow well in shade. If your lawn is shaded by overhanging trees try to alleviate the problem by removing the lower branches and thinning the canopy. This should let more light in.

You can also try overseeding with a grass mix specifically designed to be shade tolerant.

Waterlogging due to poorly drained soil
Lawn grasses hate waterlogged, usually clay, soil, and will soon become stressed and weak. You have a number of options if you garden on heavy soil.

If the clay content is very high your lawn is going to struggle and you may have to take drastic action. You could strip off the existing turf and rotovate a free draining soil mix into the clay or you could install a drainage system. Both are serious measures and you may well think that an easier solution might be to look at lawn alternatives.

If the problem is less severe try aerating with a hollow tiner and then topdressing. This will open up the soil and improve drainage.

Periods of drought
Lawn grasses are capable of surviving periods of drought but if the periods are extended and you continue to use your lawn in the normal way, the grass will be weakened and may even die.

Prevent lawn moss gaining a foothold by overseeding your lawn in the fall when conditions are cooler and damper.

Impoverished lawn due to inadequate feeding
If your grass looks sickly and weak and is a yellowish green colour it is probably short of essential nutrients. Hungry grass is in no condition to hold its own against a moss attack.

Rectify the problem by feeding at least twice a year in spring and autumn using a fertilizer formulated for the specific season.

Compacted soil
This is a common problem in over used areas of the lawn such as walkways and play areas. Lawn grasses hate compacted soil so aerate high-use areas regularly.

For frequently used routes across your lawn sink some flagstones into the surface to create a walkway.

Worn turf in high traffic areas
This is usually combined with the problem of compaction described above. Moss will soon start to grow on bald patches of lawn so reseed these areas as necessary.

Mowing too close and scalping the lawn
Grass suffers if it is regularly cut too short and may be killed altogether by scalping. Take the trouble to raise or lower your mower blades according to the season and the length of grass.

A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than a third of the height of the grass.

Excessive lawn thatch
If your lawn has more than about half an inch of thatch the grass will suffer and the moss will thrive. The information about lawn thatch will help you remedy the situation.

More Lawn and Lawn Care Information

How to decide if a garden lawn is right for you.

An overview of lawn maintenance.

Handy tips and information about how to select the right lawn care tools.

How to choose the best lawnmower.

How to go about mowing your lawn.

If you have decided to create a new lawn, or to replace an old one, the information on lawn grasses will help you choose the right type of lawn and the best grass mixtures to use.