Moss in the lawn may not destroy grass but the conditions which can encourage the growth of it can gradually lead to the death of the grass. Moss is the symptom from the environment which is not right for the turf grass. Removing the moss from the lawn is just a temporary solution and one should find the solution to control the conditions that give the mosses chances to spread. One should examine the conditions to understand what is the root cause for the issue so that it can be handled well to get rid of moss completely. Moss in the lawn can be completely removed by the following methods.

Fertility of the Soil

Test the soil to find out whether it is suitable for the grass. Soil that is very acidic and has a lower pH level can hamper the growth of the grass. Mosses grow in abundance in the acidic soil. Turfgrass can grow well only in a soil which has a pH level between 6.0 to 7.0. Apply the amendments required on the soil based on the test results to make it suitable for the growth of the grass. Lime helps in increasing the pH level and making the soil lesser acidic. A soil test tells the nutrients that can be added for improving the fertility of the soil. Lack of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in the soil gives a better environment for moss to grow. Fertilizers can be added to the soil for the required nutrients. There are certain fertilizers in the market that has ingredients for moss control.

Poor Conditions of Soil

Soil which has undergone excessive thatch and soil compaction makes it suitable for the growth of moss. These conditions of the soil restrict movement of water, nutrients and oxygen to the grassroots. Soil with such poor conditions does not provide proper drainage too. It is very important to dethatch and aerate the lawn as required. Dethatching helps in removing the mosses which are already there on the lawn. Moss in the lawn can be removed completely and kept away by ensuring that the soil is maintained in healthy and good conditions.

Excessive Shade

Areas that are excessively shady are best for the growth of moss over grass. It is advised to prune shrubs and trees so that more amount of sunlight reaches the lawn. It is also good to grow the grass variety that is shade tolerant.

Wrong Amount of Water

The wrong amount of water encourages moss growth and discourages the growth of the grass Lawn should be watered only when it is required to and just for supplementing rainfall. A rain gauge can be used to understand the amount of water that a lawn gets. Check for the drought stress in the grass and water is based on that.

Use the Chemicals

Kill the moss with the herbicide and then it can be mowed or lifted out of the lawn. Use the right chemicals that can help in dealing with the moss in the lawn.