Most people agree that lawns should not be mowed when wet, even if it is only slightly damp. Grass blades will tear rather than being cleanly cut, and will often clump up in the mower. Meanwhile, soft, wet soil can also be compacted by the mower’s weight, which restricts the growth of grass roots. But it’s not just mowing that should be phased out in October. Gardeners with moss should hold off on raking it out, said the experts at Lawnsmith.
Moss, if present, becomes increasingly visible in colder, wetter weather. Lawnsmith’s team said: “You’re too late now to consider raking the moss out, as there may not be sufficient grass growth for the lawn to repair and recover afterwards, leaving it open to even more moss.” Fortunately for gardeners, there is a simple alternative to maintaining thick and healthy lawns throughout winter, while keeping moss at bay.
How to get rid of lawn moss
Lawn experts suggest applying natural methods to control lawn moss, which largely include keeping the lawn as dry as possible.
Air around the roots of the lawn may be limited in clay or compacted soils, causing grass to “become stressed and weak”, said Lawnsmith.
Hollow tining the lawn may improve drainage, or at least increase drainage in the top two inches, and can be done in the autumn.
For large lawns, installing drainage pipes may be a better long-term solution.
Dew on the lawn is a common sight in autumn, as much as is condensation on windows. However, when a lawn has little airflow, the dew lingers for too long, causing the grass to remain permanently wet.
While this is “wonderful for the moss”, Lawnsmith notes that it is very unhealthy for grass. The solution is simple: improve airflow and breeze to your lawn by thinning out large borders of plants or moving compact furniture.
Gardeners should note that shaded areas of grass, boxed in by walls or fencing, may suffer from lingering dew and are difficult to remedy.
It’s not just overly wet lawns that are problematic in the cooler months. Areas of lawn with a thin soil layer, or in contact with patios or driveways, can quickly dry out at the edges.
While the drying happens in the warmth of summer, moss takes over rapidly when the grass goes dormant and wet weather becomes more frequent.
Moss may appear even sooner if the grass has died from being too dry before summer’s end.
Prevention is better than cure in this case, which is why you are best raking the moss from the edges and starting again on the affected area.
Kill the moss, dig up the mossiness and then reseed with topsoil. Finish with a grass seed mixture suitable for the area’s conditions.
It is worthwhile keeping lawns free from fallen leaves throughout autumn and winter to prevent further moss growth.
Lawn experts say that weekly collection is “essential for maintaining healthy grass and reducing the presence of moss, disease, and worm activity”.