Controlling moss in your garden

By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

While strolling through your garden, you may have noticed patches of moss in your landscape beds or lawn and wondered why they are there.

Moss grows in shady areas of low fertility, compacted soils, high soil acidity, poor drainage, excessive thatch in lawns, or a combination of these factors. It can be found not only in the landscape. but on a variety of surfaces, including roofs, rocks, and walls.

Moss grows in areas of low fertility. Vicky Bertagnoli. ?2021, Clemson Extension

While there are more than 9,000 species of moss, silvery-thread moss (Bryum argentum) is the most common one in turf grass. Mosses are green plants with a central axis from which the tiny leaves grow. Typically, they form a thick mass on the soil surface.

Because they lack true roots, some moss have rhizoids, root-like filaments that act as roots to absorb water. Other types absorb water from their leaves. Moss needs little, if any, soil in which to grow.

Moss growing on bricks. Joanne K.

Moss reproduces by spores in a variety of environments that are very wet at some times of the year. While moss is not aggressive, it is considered opportunistic in that it grows in conditions favoring its growth.

Moss growing on a fence rail. Joanne K.

Silvery-thread moss (Bryum argenteum) is the most common moss in turf grass. Michigan State

While moss doesn't harm your lawn or garden, you may not like how it looks. Be aware that physical or chemical removal is a temporary solution unless the underlying conditions favoring moss growth are corrected. In vegetable and flowerbeds, there is no chemical control that will not harm the other plants. In these beds, use a hoe to scrape the moss off the soil surface and dispose of the moss in trash bags.

To prevent its return, correct the soil conditions that favored its growth. Order a soil test so that you can determine how to improve your soil. A soil test will indicate lime and fertilization needs.

Aerate (core) compacted soil and work in compost to improve the soil structure. You may also need to prune or remove some plants to let more sunlight in.

Adjust your downspouts so they don't empty into the garden and water early in the morning because you want to give that area the opportunity to dry.

Rake your lawn to remove the moss. There are chemicals that can kill the moss but not the grass. However, a more environmentally friendly approach is to correct the problem by using cultural means.

Improve the drainage of the soil and avoid excess watering. Dethatch the lawn to improve aeration.

Plant shade-tolerant grasses or prune trees, shrubs, and excessive undergrowth to allow more light and air movement, since dense shade can cause sparse growth in lawns,

An alternative is to plant shade-loving ground covers in place of the grass. Or you can simply enjoy the moss as a low-maintenance ground cover that doesn't have to be mowed, watered, or fertilized and stays green year-round!

Where turfgrass is thin, thick mats of moss form in shadier areas. Joey Williamson, ?2014 HGIC, Clemson Extension

For more information, go to NC State Extension, Moss Control in Turf, at https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/moss-control-in-turf.