How to solve moss problems in a turfed lawn
This fall, while raking the leaves, if you have noticed that there is a moss problem, then you should be on your guard. Long thought of as a shade lawn problem, invasion of moss can happen in lawns that aren't healthy. If you have a thick lawn, then you can be certain, that moss won't be much of a problem for you. But if the lawn is thinning out and you can see patches of dry soil, you can be sure that moss will invariably come.
Some of the reasons for the appearance of moss problems is general neglect, irregular intervals or incorrect method of mowing, under fertilised and over watered lawns. All of these preconditions can result in poor growth of lawn and in turn growth of moss.
Moss can be tackled temporarily by hand raking the garden as well as application of Ferrous ammonium sulphate or iron sulphate. The application of these compounds will burn the moss away but it can return very quickly unless you alter the way you care for your lawn.
These are some of the more permanent ways in which you can insure that the moss doesn't return
Prune the trees so that more sunlight is available to your lawn. This will keep the moss at bay. Prune the large shrubs and the bushes too, this will allow more sunlight on the lawn. Shaded lawns are a great attraction for the moss. Also remove the excess vegetation and let the oxygen circulate in the soil system.
De-compact your soil. It makes it difficult for the roots to strengthen and grow vigorously if the soil is densely packed. Use core aeration techniques to allow more nutrients, oxygen and water to reach the root system. This will make the root system more robust and make your grass thicker and healthier. This prevents the moss from taking root. You should aerate your lawn in autumn to ensure that the moss doesn't form in the garden.
Make the necessary adjustments for watering, fertilizing and mowing the grass properly to ensure that the moss doesn't come back again.
If you have waterlogging problem either in the summer or the winter, then it can give rise to the moss problem.
Acid soil can also accelerate the problem of the moss. Get a soil test done if you think that you might have an acid soil problem. Even sandy free draining soils can cause quite a bit of the problem for the lawn. Some types of moss are quite happy to thrive in these conditions.
If you have had severe drought like situations, then it can spell quite a bit of doom for your lawn. This also leads to compactness of the soil and we all know what it can mean for the grass.
If you are mowing too close to the ground, in effect almost exposing the root system of the turf, it can help in moss growth. Exposing the root structure of the lawn will lead to drying of the root and in effect your lawn. The moss will quickly spread in these conditions.
What to do if you have a moss problem at hand
Quick fixes seldom work with moss. They will invariably come back. Carry out a maintenance system to ensure that the lawn becomes healthy.
- In the spring apply a ferrous sulphate to the affected area that burns out the moss.
- About two weeks later, just rake out the moss from the lawn.
- Re-turf the bare patches.
- With the coming of summer, apply a general fertiliser to provide the essential nutrients to the soil. Requisite amount of wart is necessary as the water helps the roots to absorb the nutrients in the soil. If you are facing drought like situations, then it's best to keep the soil moist for the grass to grow healthy. Dry patches are an invitation for the moss problem.
- If you see dense shade areas in the lawn, then trim the tress, shrubs and the bushes to provide enough sunlight to the lawn.
- In the autumn be sure to rake the lawn properly and aerate the lawn.
- Carry out a soil test in the summer or the autumn to the acid levels in the soil. If need be adjustments can be made.
- Just lie in the summer months, the soil can become compact in the winter months too. It's advisable that you keep off the lawn in the winter months.
You would see that by following these steps, your moss problems would be lessened and even eradicated. You may need to make small spot treatments very now and then for the moss problems, but that's not really hazardous to the health of the lawn.
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