Moss is generally not considered a weed, as it spreads through spores rather than seeds, lacks deep roots, and thrives in conditions that are unfavourable for grass, like low light and excessive moisture. It doesn’t mean it’s not a nuisance for gardeners, but it can take over your grass in springtime when everything has just begun growing again.
Simple gardening tasks like scarifying can lift moss and thatch from lawns, but Daniel Brooks, founder at BuyLawnTurf.co.uk, warned against rushing to do it in March. Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “The first thing to consider is that despite being in spring, it’s still early days. The weather can still be temperamental, which does rule out a few jobs, including scarifying your lawn.”
Daniel does suggest other forms of lawn care to “remove any debris and moss that’s built up over the winter period”, as long as the weather has been consistent in your garden.
He noted: “If temperatures in March are still inconsistent and cooler than you’d like, then you should delay moss treatments until the temperatures are more consistent. This is because the lawn and turf needs warmth for it to start developing and growing again.”
However, if you’re ready to go, consider the following tips to help tackle moss in late March.
You can mow your lawn before moss removal, but prioritise a light, high first cut to avoid stressing the grass.
Daniel then suggests applying a ferrous sulphate moss killer, which “reduces the need for further mowing and helps the treatment work more effectively”.
You can find this in the form of fertiliser, which isn’t a moss killer but can help control or kill moss. Some are formulated as “weed and feed” or “moss killer and fertiliser” combinations.
Experts at Maxicrop said: “The best way to prevent moss is to ensure lawns are regularly aerated and avoid overwatering, but if you have a problem, there are two ways to tackle it. The first is by manually removing the moss with a spring tine rake.
“The second is by applying a moss killer such as Maxicrop Moss Killer and Lawn Tonic.”
The Maxicrop experts said this dual-purpose formula combines a natural seaweed base with ferrous sulphate and nitrogen “to blacken moss within hours while promoting strong, healthy grass growth.”
After applying a moss killer (like ferrous sulphate), you should rake the lawn to remove the dead moss, which will look black.
Daniel said: “Rake out moss from mid-March to early April, giving the moss killer one to two weeks to take effect.”
Treat before and after raking for the best results, especially if moss is an ongoing issue.
Moss can be a major culprit behind patchy, lacklustre lawns, so it’s important to take preventative steps after treating it.
According to the Maxicrop team, moss is often a result of excess water, shade, compacted soil, or poor air circulation. They said: “The best way to prevent moss is to ensure lawns are regularly aerated and avoid overwatering.”