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Northwestern Gardening

moss in the garden a problem?

17 years ago

This is my first time posting a question, here goes:

I live in Puyallup and have a problem with moss growing all over the soil and around the plants. I will be spreading a mulch, and am wondering if I should try to kill the moss before spreading this or just put it over the top?

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Comments (8)

Embothrium
17 years ago
Mulch likely to kill it, after which it will turn to humus and help improve the soil. In fact, moss is a soil builder. Where it grows on rocks long enough a substrate develops that other plants are able to root into.
anniepf
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you, bboy, I wasn't sure if it would just grow and also cover the mulch. I'll get spreading!
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Well you kind of jumped the gun, I can understand getting rid of the moss, but to do so 5 months before you plan on seeding wasn't the best idea. What's done is what's done I suppose. The problem with bare spots is they tend to fill in with weeds, and undesirable grass like poa annua and poa trivialis. Here's what I would do if I was you. Apply Dimension preemergent now. It should last 4 months, preventing any weed from maturing. I would apply a layer of mulch to bare spots to prevent erosion. I would treat the lawn like you normally would, getting it ready for your late summer overseed (a soil test now would be helpful). Kill any weeds that pop up with spot applications of the appropriate herbicides. In August, kill everything with Round-up, and any remaining moss with Moss out. Once it's all dead, then scalp it all down with a mower, and seed. Or you can cut it short, Round up, and then seed the next day, it's up to you. I remember you from last year, and you have shade issues, please remind us of how much sun you get on average during the growing season, and what your square footage is. I just renovated my shady backyard last year with a grass that might be a perfect fit for you.
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Moss likes three things: shade, moisture, and acidic soil. Grass likes sun, moisture, and slightly acidic soil. I live in coastal CT, so our weather and soils are probably similar. My soil was terribly acidic when I did soil tests, and was lacking the proper balance of nutrients. You should do a soil test to see what is going on and what you should do to correct it. If you want to kill the moss I have had good success with Moss Out, available at Home Depot. It kills it very quickly with a non toxic iron solution, and you can rake it up quite easily once it's dead. If you want to grow grass in this shady site you will need to use very shade tolerant grasses. Don't think you are going to grow beautiful dark green Kentucky bluegrass, or perennial rye, or even tall fescue. You need to stick with either fine fescues, or something more specialized like supina bluegrass, or improved poa trivialis or a mix of the two.
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Grass B Gone will kill moss. I tried it a few years ago as I know Round Up (glyphosate) is effective in killing weeds in moss, but that seems to be the ONLY thing that will work without hurting the moss. After the Grass B Gone, which I only tried on a small spot, it was a year or so before the moss came back to fill in the dead patch.You can use Round Up, spraying lightly so as to not get too much on the moss itself, (which may turn temporarily yellow) but make sure it is just plain Round Up and not one that is enhanced with another herbicide. Here is a link that might be useful: Welcome to Chaos
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Oh that is terrific T, thanks for the lush green pic on this grim grey day. I wonder what they used for the underlayment of the woman, any ideas? I'd love to try a moss form in my garden...on a much smaller scale of course and probably not a reclining woman (that would freak out the family, LOL!). Amazing to think its only a few days over 6 weeks till Spring is sprung. PIM
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Embothrium
17 years ago
Starts on compacted surfaces where there is a film of moisture. Fluffy top of fresh mulch not too good.
thane
17 years ago
As far as I know, moss doesn't cause a problem in the garden. Some people just don't like it. Personally, I think it's beautiful, and I let it grow. I even encourage it. I just got back from a neighbor's house where I took a load of lovely emerald moss off their hands.
buyorsell888
17 years ago
I love moss too.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
17 years ago
Moss not a problem for me, love it, in fact I'm hoping it takes over the whole lawn.

A......
steve-g
17 years ago
i agree, moss is great. in fact, i love the feel of a lawn that is being over taken by moss. it feels much better on the feet than grass alone.

as an aside, what is the deal with the obsession with perfect lawns? they are water and fertilizer hogs and are a pain to maintain. i have really grown to appriciate the concept of the eco-lawn.
buyorsell888
17 years ago
I don't know what the reason for the obsession is. My DH has it bad. I could easily live without a front lawn at all. The lawn is a constant frustration, I keep wanting to enlarge all of the beds by a foot or two, he says no. It is lumpy, weedy, mossy and I'm afraid I'm going to break an ankle on it one of these days it is so uneven, despite ten wheelbarrow loads of sand and compost spread on it last year.

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