Mossy lawn

[d000hg]

I noticed late last year that where a plant had overgrown the corner of our lawn, it was pretty mossy. Somehow over the winter, the moss seems to have exploded - it's just a small lawn about 4m square and there's a border about 1m thick on one side now! I only noticed on the first mowing of the year, since it looks so green and lush

I vaguely remembered you're supposed to rake moss and tried a little, but quickly gave up because all raking seems to do is pull up the whole lawn!

What's the right way to tackle this? Do I have to kill the moss then rake it perhaps? What about re-seeding?

I also have a problem with dandelions - already a few are appearing and they go from invisible to 6" across in about 3 days (it's a sun trap). I used weedkiller last year but it says you can only use it April-September, and no more than twice a year - it kills the things but only a few weeks later they're back

[RaptorUK]

I noticed late last year that where a plant had overgrown the corner of our lawn, it was pretty mossy. Somehow over the winter, the moss seems to have exploded - it's just a small lawn about 4m square and there's a border about 1m thick on one side now! I only noticed on the first mowing of the year, since it looks so green and lush

I vaguely remembered you're supposed to rake moss and tried a little, but quickly gave up because all raking seems to do is pull up the whole lawn!

What's the right way to tackle this? Do I have to kill the moss then rake it perhaps? What about re-seeding?

Generally if you address any of these three, shade, lack of nutrients, drainage, you will discourage moss. So aerate with a good long garden fork, feed the lawn, and reduce the shade if you can. Scarifying will remove some of the moss and the thatch (dead grass) . . . if the patch looks bare afterwards its because there was little grass in the first place so re-seed that area.

I also have a problem with dandelions - already a few are appearing and they go from invisible to 6" across in about 3 days (it's a sun trap). I used weedkiller last year but it says you can only use it April-September, and no more than twice a year - it kills the things but only a few weeks later they're back

I have had very good success using Verdone in the past, you can dilute it as directed and spot treat selected areas.

[d000hg]

Thanks. It's just weird how fast it encroached, even to parts the lawn was doing great. I'm not familiar with "scarifying" - what's that?
Is it worth getting one of those weed'n'feed mixes now spring is here?

[RaptorUK]

Thanks. It's just weird how fast it encroached, even to parts the lawn was doing great. I'm not familiar with "scarifying" - what's that?
Is it worth getting one of those weed'n'feed mixes now spring is here?

Scarifying is what you do with your lawn rake to get out the thatch and Moss

I don't use weed and feed as the weed part, weed killer, means I can't use the grass clippings on my compost heap. I just use a feed and apply it in the Spring . . . so quite soon.

[shellyanne1987]

Dandelions can be seen as a pest but are really good for eating in salads and the root makes a good brew I'm in a new build so nothing's managed to take root in our grass yet, I've always thought a moss 'lawn' would be rather beautiful and good at soaking up the paddling pool and water fight water in the summer (if we get a decent one lol)


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[snakeshack]

theres a lot of moss about this year as there has been so much rain,so that there are more suitable conditions for moss and any drainage problems have been exascerbated,I would recommend one of the all in one weed/feed products,take your pick which one,unless you were going to compost the clippings.If you discard the first 3-4 cuts after application it is safe to compost afterwards.the dandelions can be treated with a spot weedkiller ,either a spray as suggested above or a spotweeder,which is like a giant pritt stick .Both of these treat individual weeds ,the spotweeders are slightly more rainproof I find

[d000hg]

Should fresh seed be sown before or after feeding (or weed'n'feeding)? I was sure I'd seen a weed'n'feed'n'seed product which did all 3 last year, but I couldn't see it again so maybe I dreamt it!

There are some sparse bits where plants had overgrown the lawn so re-seeding selected areas even aside from the moss damage is definitely going to be needed.

[mothhawk]

Moss doesn't really bother me. My grass at the front of the house is probably 50% moss at the moment. It seems to get less in the summer when it's hot and bright, and grows more in winter. I have a lot of speedwell too, and the odd dandelion. The speedwell I leave 'cos it's pretty, the dandelions I de-head before they seed so they don't spread. It all looks nice and green, which is enough for me. (Easily pleased, me )

[d000hg]

Daisies would be fine, round here dandelions are absolutely mental and the lawn would be a sea of them if you didn't do anything - you often see road verges which are just a solid mass of yellow. Those are very pretty of course but for a lawn as small as this, I can still get 10 a week appear and grow quite large!