How To Get Rid Of Moss In Your Lawn

Moss is a primitive green plant with threadlike stems and tiny leaves and can form a spongy, dense mat over the soil surface. While it’s pretty in certain settings, such as a shady forest trail, you may not like the looks of it in your lawn. But is it hurting your grass? And will it eventually take over your whole yard?

The truth is that moss is a symptom. “It’s opportunistic. Moss doesn’t compete with the turf for water and nutrients, but it’s there because conditions are not favorable for grass to grow,” says Clint Waltz, PhD, turfgrass extension specialist at the University of Georgia. “Moss typically is found in shady lawns and also is more common in older, mature landscapes that have been in place 10 or 15 years, not new lawns.”

Moss can come and go, too. “Moss leaves spores behind, so it can be a temporary or seasonal problem that occurs when environmental conditions are right,” says Waltz. Moss prefers cool, wet conditions with high humidity so, in some years, it may be more plentiful than others. Oftentimes, more than one factor contributes to moss growth, so figuring out what’s going on can take some sleuthing.

How To Get Rid Of Moss In Lawns

Getting rid of moss isn’t a quick or easy task, says Waltz. But here’s what you can do to figure out what might be encouraging the growth of moss in your lawn:

• Check your soil pH. Moss prefers acidic soil. Most lawn grasses prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5, although centipede likes a pH between 5.5 to 6.0. Get a soil test to determine whether you should add lime to raise the pH to make the soil more conducive to growing grass.
• Plant shade-tolerant grasses. Mosses can tolerate more shade than grasses, so consider planting a more shade-tolerant type of grass. Your local coop extension service (find yours here) can help you choose the best type for your region.
• Trim trees and shrubs. Prune out limbs or remove shrubs to allow more light to the area, especially if you have overgrown shrubs or mature trees.
• Cut back on irrigation. Excessive moisture in areas with shade or poor drainage adds to the problem. Make sure you water deeply but infrequently.
• Fix poor drainage issues. Moss grows better than grasses in wet soil, so improve drainage by installing a French drain or contouring the area to allow water to drain away.
• Improve compacted soils. Moss tends to be found in areas where soil is compacted and there’s no internal drainage. Try core aeration to open up the soil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
• Plant shade-tolerant groundcovers. If grass won’t grow in an area anyhow, consider planting groundcovers instead.
  

Will Moss Kill My Grass?

Moss isn’t going to kill your grass; it’s only filling in the spaces where grass is not growing. You can remove the mosses mechanically or kill them chemically, but that isn’t going to solve the problem. “If you don’t alter the underlying cultural conditions that are favorable to moss, it’s only going to be a temporary solution,” says Waltz. “The moss will be back when conditions are right.”

Should I Use Chemicals To Kill Moss?

There are products available to desiccate and chemically suppress moss, but they do nothing to remove the spores that remain, says Waltz. Once you kill the moss, you’ll also have an area of bare soil. If you don’t correct the underlying cultural conditions encouraging moss growth, the moss will be back.

Can You Leave Moss in Your Lawn?

Moss isn’t noxious or invasive, so it’s not going to overtake your entire garden. In fact, some people like the looks of it and wish it would cover more of their lawns. It’s honestly personal preference. However, it can be a potential safety hazard when wet because it’s slick, so keep that in mind if it’s growing in walkways, says Waltz.