Lawn Moss Killer Explained
Moss before treatment
*The above Lawn Care Products are available in the Lawnsmith Shop and discussed below:
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Using a moss killer is the next weapon to bring about a better lawn. Over the next few pages we will discuss the various ways you can control and kill moss. You can use moss killer as a standalone treatment to inhibit growth or as part of a moss removal programme. If the moss is not too overwhelming you can often keep it at bay or even reduce its spread by regular use of a moss killer.
Sulphate of Iron
For all intents and purposes there is only one compound available that kills moss in lawns - sulphate of iron; also known as iron sulphate. Its chemical formula is FeSO4. It is the moss killing component of DIY moss killers and lawn sand and is commonly sold in the green keeping industry as a fertiliser under the name of Ferrous Sulphate or Soluble Iron*.
Cost Effective Moss Control
The most common way of applying a ferrous sulphate based moss killer is to apply it a week or two prior to raking out the moss. However, there are other and perhaps even better opportunities to use it that makes moss control easier and more efficient.
Inhibiting moss growth is our objective here so that we enter spring with considerably less moss had we not taken action. By applying your iron sulphate based moss killer, usually by sprayer or watering can during the moss growth period, anytime from late autumn through to spring you will at least kill the exposed upper layer of moss. Though iron sulphate is brilliant at killing moss it has its limitations when the moss is very deep. It will only penetrate 1 to 2cms into the moss so if you’ve got more depth than this the moss underneath may well remain alive. Therefore, if you know your lawn is prone to heavy moss infestations starting your treatments in October or November before it gets too deep will be beneficial.
Even though the bottom layer of moss may remain alive, the killing of the top layer will stop light getting to the living bottom layer and the progress of the moss will be halted for perhaps 6 to 8 weeks. This is an easy and cost effective approach to moss control without the need for raking, particularly if your lawn is not smothered. This treatment can be repeated every 4 to 8 weeks over the winter months.
If at the same time you have improved the local environmental factors a little, together with improved lawn care practices, you may well have made conditions more favourable for the grass. This together with a moss killer could bring about the desired result. If not, then the moss will have to be removed. See Moss Removal.
