Thursday, May 3, 2018

Too much green? How to kill moss


It's spring cleaning time and that means many people are finding their yards, roofs, walkways, patio furniture and just about everything else outside covered in green. Not good green - like money - but furry, annoying green, as in moss. Moss can be tricky to get rid of but it can be done. Here are some great ways to kill moss.

Lawns:

Moss in lawns is caused by several factors such as too much shade, poor pH balance, accumulation of thatch, not enough fertilizer, poor drainage, etc. Moss is an indicator of an unhealthy lawn, so by strengthening your lawn you should be able to overpower the moss.

To kill moss in lawns, you can use products such as Scott's Moss Control Granules for Lawns. The description states it will kill moss, not your lawn. The formula contains added nutrients to help the lawn. Apply it in the winter or spring when moss is actively growing and on a moist lawn after tall grass is mowed to expose low-growing moss.

If you're looking for a more natural moss removal for your lawn, check out this post from The Spruce using Dish Soap as an Effective Moss Killer.

Once you've killed the moss in your lawn, dethatch and rake out all dead moss, seed bare areas with new grass, and keep moist. Raise the soil pH with a good lime containing fertilizer and trim back trees and shrubs if possible to allow more sunlight, which will kill moss and prevent it from returning.

Roofs:

To kill moss on roofs, placing a ZincShield Pure Zinc Strip along the peak of your roof will help to kill and prevent moss for many years. You can also use Spray & Forget Revolutionary Roof Cleaner, it's non-corrosive and eco-friendly. No bleach, lye, acid, phosphates or heavy metals.Works on all exterior surfaces.

Other Surfaces:

For pavers, sidewalks and driveways, you can use a solution of one part bleach to one part water and apply to surface. Let stand for 30 seconds and hose off. Be careful not to get on clothing or surrounding shrubs or plants. Pressure washing and scrubbing with a brush works well too. This will likely need to be repeated each year.

Another great choice is Safer Brand Moss and Algae Killer and Surface Cleaner. This all-natural moss and algae killer utilizes the effectiveness of potassium salts to rid your deck, roof, siding, walkways, lawn and more of the green. The ready-to-use formula attaches directly to your hose for an economical and convenient organic solution to your problem. OMRI Listed and compliant for use in organic gardening.

Tips: 
Kill moss in it's early stages to prevent widespread moss problems and keep it under control. Sunlight is a natural moss killer, so anything you can keep in direct sun will have less moss growth.

photo credit: Thad Zajdowicz, www.freeimages.com



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