Mosses, like most lawn weeds, primarily take advantage of bare areas but do not kill out existing grass as some people believe. Bare areas in lawn can be result from several causes. Unsuitable grass varieties, poor drainage, drought, soil compaction, excessive shade, thatch accumulation, poor fertility, diseases, improper mowing and other cultural practices are common reasons for turf failure leading to moss or other weed problems. Improving these factors to encourage thick, healthy grass is the key to long term prevention. Moss can be killed with products containing ferrous sulfate, ferrous ammonium sulfate and although these products will kill existing moss, unless the underlying conditions are changed, moss or other weeds are likely to reappear. Raising the soil pH with agricultural or dolomitic lime can improve availability of nutrients and supply calcium and thus helping the turf grow better, but will not kill moss directly.
Our Moss Control services include:
- Use a moss control product to kill existing moss in late winter or early spring.
- Landscaping Maintenance Programs: or rake out dead moss, or skip step (1) and dethatch or rake with more vigor.
- Lawn Overseeding bare areas with a mixture turftype ryegrasses or ryegrass/fescue blend.
- Topdress seeds with about l/4 inch of loose weed-free soil, potting mix, or sand.
- Keep moist until seedlings are established.
