Moss on my beds.....

[iwatkins]

I have a very heavy clay soil which has had large quantities of compost of various kinds worked into it over the last four years (since I moved to this house). However two of the four beds have a layer of moss growing on top and I wondered what to do to reduce this.



I don't particularly want to double dig as that is something akin to hard work(!) and the soil here has a layer of sandstone brash underneath which would end up coming to the surface.

Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

[Guest]

I have found where I am the moss is a sign of compaction. So short term solution is forking or digging over, long term is adding whatever organic/ degradable matter you can get your hands on to lighten, aerate the soil and increase the living organisms.

[burnie]

I just lift it off, part and parcel of my garden, it doesn't seem to affect my crops

[hamamelis]

Moss can be a symptom of issues, but I don't think it's really an issue itself; check your soil isn't compacted, or too wet, and if it doesn't seem to be, and things grow OK in it, I guess just don't worry about it.

It's not deep rooted, and doesn't take much nutrient from the soil, so it's not going to compete much with what you grow.

It does seem a little odd to get that much moss and so few other weeds though.

[KevinM67]

A little bit on moss from the RHS...

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=412

They mention soil becoming too acidic also, maybe a quick hoe and a bit of lime may do the trick.

[Penellype]

I get loads of moss - it thrives in damp, dark or shady areas. It grows on the roof, the paths, the lawns, the pots and the beds. I've tried various solutions as it can be a real pain, and the thing I find works best is mulching the pots and beds with a decent layer of something organic. I used to use cocoa shell (excellent but no longer available), tried gravel (not good), shredded bark (poor) and strulch (ok). Compost can help but the moss will return if it gets too damp. Peeling it off works but may need repeated attempts. It probably doesn't do much harm, but on paths etc it provides a base on which other weeds can then grow.

[4Shoes]

You'll need to get the chemistry kit out... check the PH and properties of your soil.

There is a thread regarding Iron sulphate and its properties to increase acid in soil and kill some moss.

The RHS site indicates some moss likes Acidic soils.

I've seen moss on sour land, but with all the compost you have added, wouldn't have thought you'd have that problem.

[iwatkins]

Thanks folks!

Having looked at ph testing kits does anyone have any opinions on the merits of old fashioned one's with test tubes etc and the newer electronic type with a probe you put in the soil?

[nickdub]

Thanks folks!

Having looked at ph testing kits does anyone have any opinions on the merits of old fashioned one's with test tubes etc and the newer electronic type with a probe you put in the soil?

As it has moss on it will have gone a bit acid.

Whether you need to do anything depends on what plants you intend to grow. If it was me I'd put lime on the bits where brassicas are going, and forget about the rest.

[geepee]

Thanks folks!

Having looked at ph testing kits does anyone have any opinions on the merits of old fashioned one's with test tubes etc and the newer electronic type with a probe you put in the soil?

Call me 'Old fashioned' if you like....I still prefer and Trust the Test tube methods.

[Snadger]

Is it not algae? If so just tickle the surface with a hoe and wait for the weather to dry up!

[Bluenowhere]

Having looked at ph testing kits does anyone have any opinions on the merits of old fashioned one's with test tubes etc and the newer electronic type with a probe you put in the soil?

Having been a scientist in a former life I’m used to electronic testers rather than the old fashioned test tube! I’ve got a probe based tester and seems to work well.