Natural Moss Control Part 1
A shady site is an invitation to moss!
*The above Lawn Grass Seeds are available in the Lawnsmith Shop and discussed below:
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Okay, so you’ve got too much moss in your lawn. Or is it that you’ve not enough grass? More than likely it’s one and the same so what to do about it?
Start by assessing the environment and natural factors that may contribute to your lawn being thin or unhealthy and therefore creating ideal conditions for moss growth.
Once you’ve done that, make as many of the following environmental changes as you can that are relevant to your lawns situation. Though this is not going to make the moss disappear it is a natural way to tip the scales in favour of the grass.
Shady Lawns are Prone to Moss
Problem: For shade read poor light. Grass, like all plants needs light to photosynthesise (manufacture food). If it’s not getting enough light it is not getting enough food. Quite often shady areas will have tall but sparse grass that can look quite green. The grass naturally thins to allow each plant more light. The problem is ‘a few thin grass plants do not make a lawn!’
Solution: Reduce the shade if possible. If this is from buildings, walls or fences there is little that can be done. If however, the shade is from plants or trees things can be done.
For trees: make sure branches are two metres above lawn level. If the canopy is dense consider thinning it. If the tree has a preservation order please start by talking to a tree surgeon.
Bushes, hedges and plants: All by their very nature are dense and you wouldn’t want to thin them. However, consider reducing the overhang into the lawn and reducing the height.
Raise your mowing height. This means the grass traps more sunlight and puts the moss in even more shade. If the grass becomes thin try overseeding thin areas every spring with Lawnsmith® SHADYGREEN* lawn seed for shady damp areas and Lawnsmith® STAYGREEN* grass seed for dry shady areas.
Clay Soils or Poor Drainage
Problem: Grass like any plant needs air around the roots. This can be limited in clay or compacted soils. This is not ideal for the grass and it can become stressed and weak. Growth will be slow, colour poor and it won’t take long for moss to show. In addition, wet soils are often cooler than dry soils and this also reduces grass vigour.
Solution: To improve the drainage it requires the addition of sand or a sandy soil mixture. Unfortunately you usually need so much that it becomes impractical. Hollow tining (coring) and brushing sand into the holes will make very little difference as the depth and density of the holes is usually inadequate. Top dressing with sand is also not the answer as the sand is on top when you need it below the clay soil to have any draining effect!
If the clay content is so high then the only way is to start from scratch and rotovate a suitable free draining mixture into you existing soil after removing your old turf.
For large lawns an alternative may be to install drainage pipes. You’ll need a specialist drainage contractor for this as it's not just a matter of putting in a bit of hardcore and a few pipes!
For small lawns putting drainage (a soak away) in the border(s) alongside the worst water logging area(s) can reduce the problem considerably. Go as deep as you can for best results.
If the grass becomes thin due to excess water try overseeding with Lawnsmith® STAYGREEN* grass seed. Though this seed is meant for dry and poor soils it tolerates extremes better than most grasses and may well be your best bet if you want grass!
