Moss

Many lawns contain moss and/or algae. Moss is often found growing in shady spots in acidic, infertile, poorly- drained soils. Although moss doesn’t directly damage lawn grasses, it does compete for space and, over time, can dominate sections of a lawn. About Mosses are small green plants that have a mass of fine stems and shallow roots. Generally, moss cannot invade a vigorous, healthy lawn. Any attempts to control moss will be only temporary unless the basic conditions (shade, poor drainage, acidic soil) that allowed moss to grow have been corrected. Some homeowners discover that mosses make a very attractive, maintenance-free ground cover in the areas they are well adapted for. Control If you want to control moss on your lawn, try some of these suggestions: • Maintain good soil fertility and pH values that favor dense, vigorous turf growth. Have the soil tested to determine lime and fertilizer needs. Liming alone isn’t recommended as a short-term control measure. • Physically remove small patches of moss with a flat edge shovel. • Improve drainage. If necessary, correct wet conditions using tile drainage. • Increase light penetration and air circulation. Trim low-branched trees for better light penetration and air movement. You may find it necessary to remove the least desirable trees. • Use a shade-tolerant grass, such as fine-leaf fescues. However, if direct sunlight doesn’t reach the ground during the day, plant a ground cover instead of grass. • Cultivate compacted soils. Reduce compaction by having your lawn aerated. • Avoid excessive irrigation. Shaded areas, where moss usually predominates, require less watering than sunny locations.