Moss!!

Hi all,

I forgot to put anything on my lawn to stop moss this winter and as a result all my lawn is full of moss now. I bought a pair of aerator shoes and walked all over the garden just before the frost started (about a month ago), but not sure if this did any good...

Should i try to remove the moss now, or leave it till spring and do it then..?

Many thanks

 

To remove the moss you will have to use an iron sulfate that, if used in reasonable amounts, should not ruin the grass.
It must be applied with caution in the vicinity of a pavement or concrete, because it would create red stains that do not come away.

 

The wet weather this year has been fantastic for moss (and not so great for folks with a moss problem)!

What to do starting now really depends on how bad it is.
If your lawn is just moss, with very little grass, then you would be better off just leaving it and sorting it out properly in the spring.
However, if the grass is still quite strong, but the moss is creeping in, then it's not too late to put a moss treatment down, although one combined with a feed would be unwise. Just an iron treatment to keep it in check would do the trick.

Spiking it will have done it a lot of good, although you won't see the benefits directly just yet (as the grass won't be growing much).

 

Hi

If me I would leave till the spring , lawns are just too wet to be messing about with it and I think to late to do a Autumn moss killer on , lots of reasons to have moss, poor drainage, too much shade.

I use a Hollow tine aerator which removes small plugs then I top dress with a mixture of soil and sharp sand and I scarify 1st before I do anything else but all of this late October.

Spruce

 

Thanks for your replies, there's still plenty of grass, I just wasn't sure if it's a good idea to remove half of it while racking the dead moss...

 

In that case, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Trying to rake it out will probably do more harm than good.
As long as you put a moss treatment down before it spores next spring, then you should be okay.
Just try to keep good growing conditions for the grass and the moss should stay under control.

 

Exactly my thinking John I will try and control mine a little next spring...but what is the problem with moss , it is green !

 

Thanks Kris Lord, I'll do that then. When shall i put the treatment, and could you recommend one..?

 

Depending on the weather in your area, sometime in February or early March should be fine. Hold off if we get late snow or heavy frosts.
Ideally, you want to have the iron work in for a couple of weeks, so that when you come around to raking it out it's nice and tidy, and the ground is warm enough to put down a spring feed at the same time.
That'll work wonders.
As for product recommendations ... can't really say I'm afraid, but you're looking for soluble Iron sulphate, preferably for use on lawns. There are plenty of options for the DIY use on google / eBay.