The sunny weather is helping lawns stay lush and green, but if you have any moss lurking in the grass, it will struggle to grow. Moss is a strange plant that does not have roots, which means most traditional weed-killing methods will not work to remove it.
Moss is a spongy menace that will suck any nutrients, water and sunlight away from grass, so you are more likely to have a patchy lawn. However, Rob, an expert from Taylor Weed Control, has shared it can be easy to get rid of moss if you give your lawn the right feed.
Rob said: “Moss doesn’t fare well in iron-rich soil…which is great if you have high levels of iron in your soil.
“For those who don’t – if you’re reading this, that probably includes you – giving your mossy tenant a dose of iron is a great way to ensure it has a rocky stay.”
Moss can only grow in a moist and acidic environment, which means a mossy lawn is likely unhealthy and needs iron to help with photosynthesis.
Not having enough iron will lead to the grass becoming brittle and yellow, which also means it will be more vulnerable to dying from drought once summer arrives.
A simple way to treat lawns and get rid of moss is with iron sulphate, which is known to dissolve moss and also feed grass to help it grow back thicker and greener.
How to properly get rid of moss on lawns
Before you begin treating moss, you will likely need to aerate the lawn, a simple process that involves creating small holes in the grass to stop the soil from being so compacted.
You will also need to scarify the lawn, which involves using a rake to go over the grass and remove any thatch buildup on top of the lawn, preventing water and nutrients from reaching the grass.
Iron sulphate is fantastic at removing moss, but if you do not address what is causing the lawn to become so acidic and waterlogged, then it will simply grow back.
It is best to apply iron sulphate when the grass is actively growing in early spring and may be depleted after the harsher and colder winter months.
Give the grass a thorough watering or apply it after it has been raining, as the moisture will help dissolve the iron sulphate properly.
Make sure not to apply iron sulphate on a hot day, as the heat can cause the iron to burn the grass and stress the lawn out more.
Iron sulphate will cause the moss to turn brown and die within a few days, and the nutrient boost will help you get a lawn that stays healthy throughout the warmer seasons.