Posted by Clem:
There's moss killing my lawn. What can I do?

Actually, the moss isn't killing it. Moss takes over when the lawn thins out due to excess shade and/or moisture. When conditions are optimal for grass, moss isn’t a problem because the lawn chokes it out. Using chemicals on moss isn’t the best idea. For example, iron sulfate will kill moss, but leaves a bare patch. And moss will return unless you improve conditions so the lawn can thrive. Here’s how:

Proper drainage. Excessively moist lawns are the No. 1 reason moss invades. If water doesn't run off the site readily, correct the grading if possible.

Increase sunlight and air circulation. Look for things like low-hanging branches and excess foliage that can be pruned.

Maintain proper soil pH (6 to 7). Lime is often used to raise pH (which moss won’t like, but grasses will) but this alone isn’t likely to solve the problem. It’s just one piece of the puzzle. Practice good lawn care. If your lawn gets too thin, moss thrives. Fertilize and aerate regularly and keep your mowing height reasonably high for the type of turf you have.

If you've pulled the moss out, reseed or sod in the usual way. If the site’s shady, use a shade-tolerant grass mix, such as fine leaf fescue. Some sites are too shady for turf. So consider shade-tolerant groundcovers or perennials instead.

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