If there’s one thing that often drives homeowners batty – especially those who make lawn care a priority – it’s moss. It turns up uninvited, can be tricky and messy to remove, and it can prove hazardous on footpaths and in patio areas.

Moss thrives in moist, shady areas, on rocks, soil, wood, and grass. It has thread-like stems and creates a thick mat of greenery that often gets in the way of the plants you do want to have around. So, once it takes up residence on your property, what can you do to give it its marching orders? Here’s how you can make sure your property is as moss-unfriendly as possible.

Improve Your Lawn’s Drainage

Experienced landscapers will tell you that Moss loves moisture, so don’t give it any. If there is a part of your lawn that attracts moss because it’s quite wet, then improve the drainage. Lawn care must be your priority. Aerate your soil, dig trenches, and divert water away into a different area of your property. The less water you have, the less desirable it is for moss.

Use a Lawn Spreader to Add Lime

By using lime in a lawn spreader, you can increase your soil’s pH level and create more favourable growing conditions for your grass, rather than the moss. Talk to your local gardening or lawn care expert about how to do this properly for best effect.

Spot Kill the Moss

If moss is only showing up in specific areas, and you can’t work out why then spot-kill it as it appears. Mix dish washing liquid in a spray bottle with water and squirt it over the affected area. Make sure it’s not going to rain first; otherwise it won’t work. The dish liquid will (hopefully) kill the grass, and you can rake it up once it turns brown.

Fertilise Your Lawn

Sometimes, the only reason for moss to arrive is that your lawns don’t have the right nutrients. Moss sees that weakness and moves in – fast. You can get in touch with a testing outfit to test your soil and find out what it is missing. Once you correct the problem with the right nutrients, your grass will thrive and provide less of an ideal environment for moss.

Act on Shady Areas

Moss loves the shade, and it doesn’t take long until it’s created a slippery, dangerous area that can be a slipping hazard for members of your family. Identify what is causing that shade and see if you can remove it. For example, some large shrubs may not be necessary, but they are causing more problems than they are worth. If you can’t get rid of the shade, then spot killing may be the best option for you.

You may never be able to get rid of moss for good because it’s a plant that thrives in many different conditions and often doesn’t discriminate. However, if you can identify the dark, damp, and shady areas of your property, you may be able to limit how much of it you see on your property. Try out these techniques above and see if they make a difference.