If you have moss in your lawn, here’s what you need to know: moss lacks a true root system, so it needs surface moisture to thrive (it can go dormant when moisture is available only on a seasonal basis). In a home landscape, look for the following problems where moss is present:
- compacted soil
- poor drainage
- shade
- poor fertility
Particularly in areas with heavy clay soils, moss can be difficult to eradicate. Core aeration will help open up the soil for drainage so that irrigation and seasonal rains don’t sit on top of the soil too long. Topdressing after core aeration with a mix of compost and light sand will improve the soil texture. Thinning trees and shrubs where they provide thick shade will allow sunlight to reach the grass, promoting lawn growth and helping to dry persistently moist areas. Proper fertilization will help improve turf vigor, an important deterrent to moss. Finally, proper irrigation is key: be sure to set your irrigation system for a deep, infrequent cycle – this promotes deep root growth, and starves shallow topsoil of the moisture moss needs to thrive (not to mention diseases, like summer patch).