The Lawn and weed expert has a great track record killing and controlling moss in our customer’s lawns. The products we use are very efficient but safe and should be combined with scarifying, aeration, top dressing and over seeding in chronic cases.
Moss is the most common problem we have with lawns. The mild damp autumns and winters are ideal for moss growth. Moss becomes established if grass growth is reduced and weak. It essential to ensure the grass has the appropriate fertiliser to ensure vigorous healthy growth particularly in the spring and autumn, Cutting the grass too short will weaken grass as will insufficient watering in dry spells. Moss thrives and quickly develops where grass is weak. Weeds are easy to control, moss is slightly more difficult and requires regular attention. Strong healthy grass receiving regular applications of lawn care resists moss better than under nourished lawns.
Moss is not a weed. It does not put down roots but spreads across any damp surface. Nutrients in the soil dissolve in damp conditions and are absorbed by moss. Moss is spread by air borne spores in the spring and autumn and will thrive and spread colonising large areas of your lawn if left untreated.
TTreatment is simple and straight forward for the Lawn and Weed Expert. We successfully control moss in thousands of lawns using our efficient moss control products. Please remember that the products we use are not available to the public or general gardeners. Moss control the Lawn and Weed Expert way is simple and effective with the moss showing signs of dying just hours after treatment.
The moss plant is fibrous and tough. Once it has been treated the dead moss plant does not decay easily and it may be necessary to remove the dead plant by scarifying your lawn followed by aeration and top dressing depending on the level of moss in your lawn. See scarifying and aeration.
It is important to tackle the reasons why moss grows in your lawn in order to reduce the chances of it re appearing. Cultural reasons and appropriate changes are important. if moss is to be controlled.
If grass suffers stress and is weakened and dies in cold or dry conditions. Moss and weeds will quickly colonise any spaces or areas of weak growth in your lawn.
The following conditions encourage moss:
- Warm moist weather conditions - An increasing problem all over the UK
- Compacted poorly drained soil Heavy soils will become compacted and need to be hollow tine aerated to reduce the effects of the compaction in the soil and can be top dressed with a 70 % sand loam mix to improve soil ventilation once every 2 – 3 years
- Lawns thick with thatch Thatch is dead organic matter sitting on or below the soil surface and has to be removed by scarification.
- Cutting the grass too short or scalping significantly reduces the health of the grass, weakens it and allows moss to move in
- Not watering the grass in the dry summer months can weaken the grass and allow moss to move into your lawn
- Clay based soils - prominent in the South Wales rea
- Shaded or poorly ventilated lawns where the grass and soil surface rarely dry out
- Poorly fertilised lawns with weak and sparse grass usually have lots of moss present.
If you neglect your lawn for even a short time moss will quickly move in and colonise large areas of your lawn pushing out the grass.
Be careful if you use products bought from garden centres etc. Incorrect application rates and or adverse weather conditions can lead to scorching your lawn and creating bare patches of dead or damaged grass.
If your gardener volunteers to do the work check that they do not use the same products from the garden centre and produce similar results. Call the lawn and weed expert we use the correct feeds at the right time for the maximum effect in our lawn care treatment program. All you have to do is water and mow the lawn.