How to get rid of moss: THE Lawn Moss Killer Guide of 2023

Moss is a common issue in lawns and gardens, thriving in damp, shaded environments. It forms dense, carpet-like patches and competes with grass for nutrients and moisture.

Combating moss is crucial for a healthy lawn, and understanding the causes and effective methods to control moss is essential for maintaining a green and vibrant lawn.

The causes of moss in your lawn

Moss loves a poorly maintained lawn where the grass is thin and the soil malnourished. These conditions allow moss and weeds to get the upper hand. It might feel like a vicious circle: a poor lawn encourages more moss, and more moss weakens your grass even further.

The following conditions contribute to the development of moss in your lawn:

• Acidic or compacted soil
• Poor air circulation
• Stodgy, wet soil
• Poor drainage
• Malnourished soil
• Bad lawn maintenance

Luckily, none of these conditions are insurmountable.
So, on top of regular mowing and fertilising, here are several ways to kill the moss on your lawn.

Lawn Moss Killer: Fight moss naturally

There are some fairly harsh chemical treatments on the market which will kill off the moss in your lawn. But chemicals can be harmful to your soil and the wildlife that relies on your garden for sustenance.
We always recommend going green. It’s better to protect the environment by fighting moss the natural way!

Here are 5 useful tips to get you started.

Tip #1: Improve light and air circulation

Moss thrives in shade, especially under large trees with low-hanging branches. Trim low-hanging branches and open the canopy to create more light and air. This benefits the grass more than the moss!

Tip #2: Increase soil fertility

Many moss species thrive in soils with poor structure, such as acidic and nutrient-deficient soil. Conduct a soil analysis to discover what your soil needs. Acidic soil hinders nutrient absorption by plants. Apply lime to your lawn to raise the pH and enhance soil fertility.

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Tip #3: Correct pH

Due to the natural breakdown of dead organic matter, the soil becomes more acidic over time. Acidic soils bind nutrients, making them inaccessible to the lawn’s roots and hindering grass growth. Therefore, regularly conduct a pH test to check the soil’s acidity.

Keep in mind that moss lacks roots and doesn’t extract nutrients from the soil. Correcting the pH is not an immediate solution to moss problems, but the goal is to optimize the soil for grass growth. Liming in the case of overly acidic soil makes more nutrients available to the grass, enhancing its response to fertilisation.

Tip #4: Aerating

Dense, compact soil hinders root development, potentially resulting in a thinning lawn that gives way to moss in winter.

Address this issue by aerating the soil. This allows the lawn’s roots to regain access to essential nutrients, water, and air. After aeration, you can spread a mix of compost and sand over the lawn to gradually enhance the composition of clay soil. Renting an aerator is a simple solution.

Tip #5: Scarifying

Once moss is present in the lawn, it needs to be removed manually or mechanically before grass can regrow.

Scarifying is the process of removing moss from the surface of the lawn. One way of scarifying is to mow your lawn vertically (also called “verticutting”). This motion essentially combs out all the dead material (thatch, moss) between the grass and lightly cuts the laterally growing shoots, stimulating the production of a growth hormone. So, it’s not only designed for moss removal, but it is indeed very effective.

Lawn Moss Killer: Fight it chemically

Fighting moss with chemical methods requires caution and effective application. Moss reproduces through microscopic spores that develop on moss leaves and are rapidly spread by rain or wind.

If you scarify without first killing these spores, you are essentially sowing the moss again. Chemical agents, such as iron sulfate or copper sulfate, can be applied.

Iron Sulphate:

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Iron sulfate is highly effective and kills moss within 4 days, but it makes the soil more acidic, so be sure to counteract it with Lawn Lime.

It’s important to address the underlying cause, as moss will return if not removed. Note: when using iron sulfate in moist conditions or irrigation, it has an even faster effect.

Copper Sulphate:

Copper sulphate is dissolved in water and applied to the moss with the help of a backpack sprayer. This particular chemical compound can stain porous materials badly, so use old gloves, shoes, and clothing. Keep it away from concrete slabs and patio tiles.

Ammonium Sulfate:

Ammonium sulfate is a nitrogen/sulfur fertilizer with the ability to slightly lower the soil pH. It effectively burns away moss, but it’s crucial to understand that it is specifically designed for burning moss. When using this product, it should not be watered, as otherwise, the moss won’t be effectively burned.

Note: using this product requires knowledge of grass species and growth patterns. Not every grass species can tolerate it, and it can severely burn the lawn. Never use this product in the summer.

Lawn Moss Killer, your solution

Kiss moss goodbye after your effective intervention. We’ve crafted the Moss Free Lawn Kit just for you!

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• Addresses moss and strengthens the lawn
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• Promotes a deep green color

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Do you grapple with other garden challenges, like weeds or pests? Learn how we can aid you in averting and tackling these issues.

If you have questions – whether it’s about this article or anything else to do with creating a picture-perfect lawn, get in touch.

Happy gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!