Remove moss from the lawn – permanently

When moss appears on a lawn or in the grass, it often can be traced to one or two simple causes that are easy to correct. Before splurging on poisonous chemical moss killers, look into things like mowing, dethatching, exposure, watering, air circulation, lawn topdress and even soil fertilization. Changing your habits might be all that’s needed to remove moss from your lawn!

How to remove moss from the lawn

It seems simple, but all your efforts should aim to favor growth of grass itself, instead of moss. This is the key to the best long-term results against moss.

• Lawn grass needs sun. It is important to cut branches off overhanging trees that make shade too dark (thinning them). Shade hinders proper lawn grass growth.
• Also, follow the simple basic rules below and you yourself will be your garden’s most powerful moss killer!

Mow the lawn on a regular basis

• Mowing must be performed at least once a week in spring and every two weeks in summer.
• Don’t mow any shorter than 1¼ to 1½ inches (3 to 4 cm).
  If you mow any lower, your lawn grass will have trouble growing whereas moss will have ideal growing conditions.

→ Mowing: there are tricks to getting it right

Fertilize the lawn

Moss can survive easily with few nutrients. Lawn grass cannot.

• The shorter your lawn, the more it needs nutrients to grow. Keep it taller.
• Find time-release fertilizer and spread it evenly in spring and fall. Fresh lawn topdressing with compost is a great time-release fertilizer.
• This will stimulate lawn grass growth instead of moss.
• Another solution to fertilize is the use of fermented tea.

Make the air circulate to repel moss

• A moss-less lawn is, more than anything, a lawn where the air circulates well!
• There are special devices like spiked shoes for smaller surfaces or needle-equipped engine-powered contraptions to riddle the lawn with tiny holes. This process can be done anytime during the year.

Dethatching removes moss from the lawn

• It helps eliminate superficial and thus least vigorous roots from the lawn grass. These weak roots tend to weave a thick mat along the surface that retains moisture, blocks air circulation, and is very inviting for moss spores.
• Refer to our guidance on how to dethatch your lawn, a step that can be performed one or two times a year.

Moss killing products

• Lastly, there are very effective moss-inhibiting products that will prevent moss from appearing altogether. You can find these in your local garden store.

Read also on lawn care:

• Sow your own grass lawn
• Renovate a patchy lawn easily
• Topdressing a lawn