Q.Lawn problem
what is the best way to rid my lawn of moss?
I live in Seward, Alaska and we had a super wet, rainy summer and I just mowed the lawn a little shorter than usual as we are starting to experience frosty nights… and the amount of moss that showed up is amazing!!!
Thanks for your suggestions!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
You could always pour boiling water over the areas experiencing the pest. This is a non-toxic, and easy way to rid your yard of pests such as this. Here is a link that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/watering/hot-water-on-plants.htm
Having moss during an unusually wet year isn't a permanent problem. The typical advice is to rid your lawn of moss is to make sure the grass gets lots of sun and that it drains well. Good air circulation also speeds drying. If moss is showing up under trees, consider removing the lowest branches or thinning some branches to allow more light in. I wouldn't attempt thinning yourself unless you are experienced with tree care. And don't remove tree branches without researching the best time of year to do it. You can mess up a nice tree with improper cuts. If you have standing water for more than a few hours after a downpour, consider core aerating the lawn and also whether redirecting or adding downspouts might help. YouTube shows how to do a soil percolation test. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soil+percolation+test
Since weather patterns are changing, who knows if this might signal your new normal. In that case, a rain garden instead of grass is one solution!
Check this article: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/moss/killing-moss.htm
