Moss
Why is Moss a problem for my lawn?
Moss can adversely affect the health and appearance of a lawn. Whilst it can give a green appearance from afar, if untreated it will die back in summer and leave unattractive brown and bald patches. Moss likes moisture and it competes with the grass roots for essential water and nutrients, whilst also making the growing environment humid. This favours the growth of more moss whilst further weakening the grass. The humid environment also attracts pests and disease.
How can I control moss on my lawn?
Your Hampshire Lawncraft expert will identify the likely cause of your moss problem and suggest the best solution based on the individual conditions of your lawn. Causes of moss can include:
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Too much moisture - poor surface drainage or excessive wet weather can cause moss to thrive. Aeration can help significantly with this by allowing the water to drain away more freely; top dressing can also help by improving the texture and profile of the soil.
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Excess thatch stores a lot of moisture making it attractive to moss. This can be removed either by raking or scarification or through the application of one of our moss/thatch-inhibiting fertilisers.
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Shaded area - perhaps the ground is shaded by a tree or covered in fallen leaves. If there is a way to allow more sunlight to reach the lawn, this would help alleviate the problem of moss.
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Compacted soil can inhibit grass growth and allow the more hardy moss to take over. Aerating the lawn, particularly with a hollow-tine helps to alleviate compaction within the soil.
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Unhealthy, malnourished lawns will struggle to compete with moss. Regular lawn fertilisation as part of one of our Annual Treatment Plans will ensure that your lawn stays healthy and strong.
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Mowing aggressively or infrequently is often the cause of moss even without any other risk factors. This can be fixed by mowing regularly, never removing more than 1/3 of the leaf and never going too short. If you have moss in stripes this is a strong clue that your mowing habits are contributing to the problem.