Mossy Lawn: What Now?
In 2019, Georgia homeowners reported an increased amount of moss in their lawns over the summer. Though a couple of years have passed since that report, not much has changed. Homeowners are fighting off moss and they don't quite know how to win. If you have experienced moss growing where grass should be, there are a few things to keep in mind as you look into how to control your current moss issue and how to prevent it in the future.
What Causes Moss in Lawns?
First of all, it's important to remember that moss is a plant, not a harmful fungus that can kill your turfgrass. When conditions are not ideal for grass to grow, moss may take advantage of the opportunity to spread through your lawn. Since moss is caused by environmental conditions, there is no quick fix if it finds its way into your lawn. A few of the most common causes for a mossy lawn include:
- Excessive shade
- Compacted soils
- Poorly drained soils
- Low soil fertility
- High or low soil pH
- Poor air circulation
Ultimately, to combat a mossy lawn, you have to combat each of these individual issues to make the environment less desirable for the moss.
How to Remove Moss from Lawn
Moss control and moss prevention are two very different approaches. If your grass is already being taken over by moss, you have to use a different strategy. One of the most common organic methods for removing moss is to mix gentle dish soap or baking soda with lukewarm water. Once sprayed on the moss, you will notice it turning orange or brown within 24 hours. When this change becomes visible, it's usually easy to remove the moss with a metal rake. After doing this, you want to make sure you dispose of the moss in sealed bags. If you throw it into your backyard, you will find that the spores will just create more moss for you to remove in the future.
How to Prevent Moss
- Acidic Soil. If your soil is too acidic, the turf may struggle while moss thrives. One way to remedy this is by adding lime to your soil.
- Drainage. Moss also grows in areas of poor drainage. If your lawn isn't draining well and your area has experienced a lot of rain lately, moss may be more prevalent. To take steps towards preventing moss, you may need to address drainage issues. This can be helpful not only for preventing moss but also in eliminating standing water, which can attract mosquitos and other pests in your yard.
- Compacted Soil. Compacted soil or lawn areas that receive a lot of shade are also very conducive to moss accumulation. Aeration, fertilization, and reduced shade (via pruning or tree removal) all help make your lawn more suitable for turf growth and can help reduce and eventually eliminate moss as time goes on.
How Agropro Can Help
At Agropro, we offer two premium lawn care programs that can help create a healthier lawn so moss has less of a chance for survival.
Agropro provides Lawn Care and Plant Health Care services to the following areas in North Georgia: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Buckhead, Canton, Cumming, Dunwoody, Holly Springs, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Suwanee, and Woodstock.
