Though moss won’t kill your grass, it can leave your lawn splotchy and uneven.
Luckily, there are a few solutions to manage moss.
Or, you might use good old sweat equity and rake out the living moss from your lawn.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
But the simplest, safest method is to use dish soap.
Read on to learn what kills moss permanently in four steps using this recipe that costs pennies.
Spray the Mixture on Moss
Spray the mixture on the patches of moss.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Holding the spray nozzle a couple of inches from the target area, drench the moss with the solution.
Do not spray the grass, as the solution can also kill healthy grass.
Dig up Dead Moss and Roots
Dig up the dead moss after 24 hours.
The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee
It should have turned orange or brown and dried up.
The surrounding grass will begin to grow over the patches.
Discard the Dead Moss and Reseed
Take the dead moss to an isolated area to discard.
Don’tcompost itor the moss spores could spread back into your lawn.
Top the new grass seed with new, loose soil free of moss spores.
Always apply the dish detergent and water mixture when the grass is moist.
Treatments like this are temporary, however.
Address the underlying cause of moss growth to control its growth.
That usually meanstesting the pH level of your soil.
Moss likes acidic soil, so increase your soil’s pH by adding lime, also called dolomitic lime.
Lime makes your soil less acidic by adding more alkaline.
Though lawn lime adds nutrients to existing grass to encourage its growth, it won’t directly kill moss.
Lime can be added to your lawn between fall and early spring.
Adding lime doesn’t guarantee you’ll never see another patch of moss.
These products will dry up the moss and kill it.
Vinegar will kill unwanted moss because the acetic acid in vinegar damages the growth’s cell walls.
Eventually, it will die.
This will work on several surfaces, including patio pavers, concrete, and brick.
Controlling Moss and Algae in Turf.
Managing Moss in Lawns.
University of Oregon Extension.
