Moss on the lawn after winter: why it appears and how to get rid of it

Moss on the lawn is formed due to low light, excessive moisture and lack of nutrients in the soil.

In winter, when the lawn is dormant, moss has the best opportunity to grow and reproduce, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert at the MOS SMI portal, agronomist and landscape designer.

The reasons for its appearance are:

1. Lack of sunlight. Moss needs sunlight to produce nutrients and grow. If your lawn is in a shady area or covered with trees, it will be easier for moss to take root and grow.
2. Lack of ventilation. Moss needs adequate access to air, otherwise it will grow faster than grass. Wet areas or zonal lawns without air flow can become a shelter for moss.
3. High humidity. The optimal conditions for moss to grow are high humidity. If the lawn is in a high humidity zone or does not dry out for a while during watering, it will be easier for moss to take root and grow.
4. Lack of Fertilizer: Not using enough fertilizer will make it easier for moss to grow and establish itself in your lawn.
5. Excessive soil acidity. Very acidic soils can create conditions for moss to grow, but not for grass. If nothing is done, the moss base will grow much faster than the grass. 6. Poor lawn management. Lawns that are not regularly maintained and mulched can provide reinforcement for moss. It grows faster than grass, so more regular lawn care is needed.

How to get rid of moss

You can get rid of moss on your lawn by eliminating the causes of its appearance.

To do this you need:

1. Provide sufficient lighting. If the lawn is located in the shade, it is recommended to trim trees and shrubs to increase access to light.
2. Feed the lawn with special fertilizers containing the necessary nutrients.
3. Drain the soil. If the soil is too wet, moss will grow faster. Using drainage materials will help the area dry out faster, which will help prevent moss from forming.
4. Mow your lawn regularly and trim back tall grass, as moss thrives in tall grass and unevenly growing areas.
5. Use special products to combat moss on the lawn. For example, you can mix vinegar with water and spray the moss spots so that it dries and peels off from the soil.

In any case, to get rid of moss on the lawn, additional attention and care for the lawn is required, including regular fertilizing, watering and pruning.

However, if moss patches cover large areas of the lawn, it may be necessary to remove the topsoil and reseed the lawn.

Earlier we wrote about which plants should not be planted near the house.