If you want to get rid of moss in your lawn, there are a few easy ways to do it, both naturally and chemically.
Luckily, mosses are very shallow-rooted plants, so immediate removal is not particularly hard. However, if you want to get rid of moss for good, you’ll need to get to the root of its growth.
While moss is not harmful to your grass, you may want to remove it for aesthetic reasons. As spring and summer get closer, now is the best time to get rid of any moss in your yard because it is growing quickly.
Seeing patches of moss popping up in your lawn can be frustrating. While moss won’t necessarily harm grass it can crowd out turfgrass and create bare spots if left unchecked. The good news is that with the right treatment approach, you can get moss under control and restore a lush moss-free lawn.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to effectively treat and remove moss from your lawn, as well as prevent its return
Understanding Lawn Moss
Before treating moss, it’s helpful to understand what’s causing it to grow. Here are some key facts about lawn moss:
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Moss thrives in damp, shady areas where grass struggles It prefers acidic soil with poor drainage
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Common lawn mosses include slender star moss, mood moss, and cushion moss. They grow in low tufts or mats.
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Moss spreads by dispersing spores and creeping stems called rhizoids. It rarely has deep roots.
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While harmless, moss indicates conditions are unfavorable for healthy grass growth.
Correcting lawn issues that allow moss to thrive is key for long-term control.
How to Treat and Remove Existing Moss
When moss is actively growing in spring or fall, you can use various methods to treat and remove it:
Mechanical Removal
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Vigorously rake the lawn with a metal rake to dislodge moss and remove dead material.
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Dethatch if necessary to remove thick moss mats. Power dethatchers work best for large lawns.
Organic Moss Killers
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Dish soap or horticultural soap – Mix 5 oz per gallon of water and spray on moss.
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Baking soda – Mix 1 box per 2 gallons of water and spray on moss.
Chemical Moss Control
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Iron sulfate or ammonium sulfate products are effective moss killers.
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Glyphosate products will also eliminate moss but may damage grass. Use carefully.
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Always follow product labels for mixing and application.
Lawn Renovation
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Overseed bare patches with moss-resistant grass varieties to crowd it out.
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Improve drainage and aerate compacted soil to encourage healthy grass growth.
Preventing Moss From Returning
The best defense against lawn moss is cultivating healthy grass. Here are some tips:
Provide Proper Sunlight
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Most types of grass need at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Prune overhanging trees/branches to open up shady areas.
Test and Amend Soil pH
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Moss prefers acidic soil, so have your soil pH tested.
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Apply lime if needed to raise pH to ideal grass-growing levels.
Improve Drainage
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Aerate at least once per year to improve water penetration.
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Add organic material like compost to heavy clay soil to improve drainage.
Fertilize Judiciously
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Excess nitrogen fertilizer can make grass susceptible to moss.
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Use a balanced slow-release lawn fertilizer and follow directions carefully.
Reduce Compaction
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Core aerate high traffic areas prone to soil compaction.
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Keep foot traffic to a minimum on wet lawns.
Maintain Proper Mowing Height
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Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade height when mowing.
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Taller grass shades out moss and develops deeper roots.
Seed Bare Patches
- Routinely overseed thin or bare areas with quality grass seed to fill them in.
Adjust Sprinkler Use
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Water early in the day to allow grass blades to dry out before nightfall.
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Avoid frequent, light watering which benefits moss.
When to Treat Lawn Moss
The best times to treat moss are:
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Early spring when moss is actively growing but grass is still dormant.
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Early fall during another active growth period for moss.
Treating in spring or fall allows you to eliminate moss without damaging actively growing grass.
How to Remove Moss From Lawns Naturally
For an organic approach, try these safe methods:
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Apply corn gluten meal in early spring – it inhibits moss growth.
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Boost grass growth with organic fertilizers to outcompete moss.
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Spread a thin layer of compost to cover moss and provide nutrients.
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Scratch up moss with a wire rake and overseed treated areas.
Natural moss removal takes longer but avoids chemicals. Maintain healthy grass and routine dethatching to keep moss in check.
When to Call a Lawn Care Company
If DIY moss removal efforts don’t seem to be working, don’t despair. A professional lawn care service has the tools and expertise to tackle stubborn moss issues:
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They can perform deep mechanical dethatching for thick moss.
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Professionals have access to powerful commercial moss killers.
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They can diagnose and correct underlying issues like poor drainage.
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Lawn pros know the best grass types and care regimes for moss prevention.
Get several estimates and hire a reputable, insured company. Make your expectations clear.
Tips for Moss Prevention All Year
Once your lawn is moss-free, keep it that way with vigilant prevention:
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In spring, overseed bare spots where moss tends to reappear.
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Apply corn gluten meal in early spring before moss becomes established.
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Maintain proper mowing height, fertilization, and watering all year.
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In fall, overseed with moss-resistant grass varieties.
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Continue aerating and dethatching to prevent thick moss from recurring.
With dedication to proper lawn care and moss removal, you can reclaim a lush, moss-free lawn for good. Don’t allow patches of pesky moss to persist – take action and treat it using these comprehensive tips.
Evaluate Sun/Shade
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Address the issue of any excessive shade to get rid of moss. You can get more sunlight to areas that need it by cutting down trees or pruning off some of the bigger, lower branches.
For the most part, grasses need at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. However, some grasses can handle three or four hours of shade. In your tree pruning, strive to provide sunlight in those amounts.
Try an Organic Solution
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The Spruce / Steven Merkel
For an eco-friendly way to get rid of moss, put 2 gallons of lukewarm water in a garden sprayer and mix in a box of baking soda. Then, spray this mixture on the mossy areas.
Another remedy is to use dish soap to kill moss. In a garden sprayer, mix regular dish soap (Dawn Ultra is recommended) with water (5 ounces of soap per gallon of water). There are also commercial horticultural soaps, such as Safer brand, that will kill moss.
How to Remove Moss From a Lawn | Unbelievable 2 Stage Method
FAQ
What will kill moss but not grass?
Will grass grow back after killing moss?
How do you get Moss out of a lawn?
If you have a small patch of moss, you can mix 1 gallon of water and 2 ounces of dish soap into a spray bottle and spray the mix onto patches of moss. For larger lawns you should double the proportions of each. Spray the mixture onto patches of moss and drench them thoroughly. Within 24 hours, the moss will dry up, turn brown, and die.
Does Moss kill grass?
A green lawn is a goal for many homeowners. If the green comes from moss, though, it may be time to give your grass a better chance to grow. Removing moss from a lawn is only part of the solution; you also need to make sure conditions are right for healthy grass. A mossy lawn doesn’t kill the grass but conditions that encourage its growth can.
Why does Moss appear in a turf-grass lawn?
There are many reasons why moss appears in a turf-grass lawn: Conditions that encourage moss also discourage grass from growing. Correcting the conditions that favor moss growth is the only way to permanently get rid of moss in your lawn.
Does a Mossy Lawn kill grass?
A mossy lawn doesn’t kill the grass but conditions that encourage its growth can. Moss is a symptom of an environment that isn’t right for turfgrass, so simply removing it only provides a temporary solution. Improving the conditions so they favor the growth of grass is a more effective method of getting rid of moss.