Dealing With Moss In Your Yard

Moss is a plant that can develop in conditions that other plants, such as grass, can’t survive. It is not a very competitive or aggressive plant. Nature appears to use it more as a filler, for bare or thin soils.

So, to answer the question “Why is there moss in my lawn?” the correct and straightforward response is "because you have conditions that are making it difficult for your lawn to live.” Below is more information on dealing with moss in your yard.

Myth About Moss
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Ask a tree specialist what can be done about moss, and he or she will let you know that the soil is low in pH and must be sweetened with some calcium (lime). 

This is so not true! Moss flourishes in any soil type, including alkaline, acidic, even on a rock. The only way that lime at times aids lawns in squeezing out moss is when the soil is too acidic for the grass to thrive accurately and is thinning out.

With lime, in this case, it would elevate the pH level and enhance the health of the grass. So, the exact reason for the moss here is the bad health of the grass.

Moss Causing Conditions

Here are the real reasons for moss on lawns:

• Too much moisture. Water-logged soils typically clay types, choke grass roots but shallow-rooted moss can thrive in and tolerate wet soils.
• Too much shade. Grass plants require the right amount of sun for enough photosynthesis to remain healthy. Shade tolerant types can endure a little less light, but some moss types live in complete shade.
• Clay soil. Grasses are hardy plants that can grow in moderately heavy clay top soils, mainly if the soil is wet. But denser clays or extreme compaction are nearly impregnable. Moss has no issue flourishing in this thick clay.
• Tree Roots. Tree roots can create moss in a few ways. The more significant roots that develop close to the soil surface don’t give the grass a proper amount of soil to dig into. Hence, moss grows and expands on top of these roots.

To conclude, in dealing with moss in your yard, look for the situations that may be contributing or causing it. Change what you want, and if you can’t alter the situation, take pride in the fact that this green is covering what could be naked soil.

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