Help!! my garden is covered in moss and not grass, how do i get rid of it?
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Answers:
Moss is a plant that loves moist, acidic conditions. It also tends to thrive in compacted soil.
Your best course of action in the long term is to correct your soil's chemical balance. I know that may sound unnatural, but it actually is how nature works.
A soil testing kit is inexpensive, and is your best friend. Get one and find out where you are at, (we know your soil is acid). The kit will guide you as to how much lime you are going to need to add.
Next, work your soil a bit. Loosen things up and add some rough matter. You could till, or hand dig, but add some natural compost to attract worms and aerate your soil.
Chemical sprays/weed killers are a temporary solution, and they will harm you and your environment.
The soil is at issue, and once it is in balance, the moss will disappear, (unless of course you are in a woodland, in which case, the moss is a beauty and should be preserved and cherished).
I actually am trying to grow moss for a client right now.spores, buttermilk, manure..blender and spray. I guess the moss is always greener on the other side.
Good luck. I hope you have grass soon. Truly, the soil chemistry/aeration is the answer.
redo it
Moss and grass Pete Doherty won't be far behind me with an answer to this one.
Moss is a sign that it is either shady , or very acidic . If the former , you won't get grass to grow. If it is sunny, but mostly moss, add lime . (slowly , over the course of a few years , don't try to correct it all at once .)
Nitrogen based fertilizer will work try using miracle grow or cedar mulch.Just run a tiller over it put down fertilizer and grass seed. Or better yet sod if you can afford it.
Rake it out with a spring teen rake..it's hard work..but the only other way is to use a lawn rake..(electric type, ) bit expensive to buy.for just one use. You may be able to hire one.
Tip, save the moss ..to line hanging baskets with..that is what I did with moss raked from the lawn.
Also, after you have got the moss out, reseed your lawn, but if it is in shade most of time.buy a shade loving grass seed, or the problem won't go away.
Also, seeing as it is so warm right now...I'd leave it until the weather cools down a bit, as you need to constantly water a new lawn...and you may not be allowed to in the warm weather.
Moss likes wet conditions and acid soil. So improve the drainage and add lime to neutralise the acidity.
To improve drainage you need to get one of these spiky rollers to make lots of little holes and then brush sand into the holes. They are called aerators and the kind you need depends on the size of your lawn. You can hire them too.
Or if you dont like spending money just use a garden fork.
If the drainage is really bad you would need to dig a whole drainage system and replant your lawn. If its that bad you may be better to work with the conditions and plant a bog garden instead!
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