David Chritchly

Rich Pasto wrote:water and pH are definitely culprits, but you need to also look at how much sunlight your yard gets. The lower sunlight levels in winter may be helping the moss spread/return every year.

Food for thought, what are the drawbacks to moss beside the cosmetics? You basically dont have to do anything to it, and it will develop into a soft green carpet if left undisturbed. I remember moss yards from back east and they were really quite nice.

Yes, I am beginning to accept the moss. It is cheap and easy after all. Winter sunlight is a problem here, as well as "excess" winter "moisture".

Tom Pavlo wrote:It was always my understanding that moss was a sign of your pH being too low. The lime should correct that. A couple of years ago, I had some moss growing between my grass. Once I limed, the grass grew in better and I haven't seen the moss since.

I think that your best plan would be to lime it up to a ph of 6.5-6.8 and then just do what you can to get the grass to grow thicker.

Why do you add sand to your lawn? The structure of your soil will dictate how much lime you are going to have to apply. For example, the dirt in my front and back yards are different enough that I need to apply double the amount of lime in the back to get the same effect. This has something to do with the soil weight and the front being more sandy.

I also believe that Paul generally discourages aerating as he sees it a waste of time.

Hi Tom,

I had read in my local paper than aereating and then adding sand should improve drainage and discourage moss growth. I'm not doing that this year anyway. I will adjust the pH first. Can I lime when the lawn is wet?

Hi,

I have been reading Paul Wheaton's lawn care for the cheap and lazy here. Since we have a youngster running around now I want to loose the chemicals. I've got my pH tested, ready to apply lime, mow high, leave the clippings on the lawn and aerate aerate aerate- however we are in the pacific north west. I can't exactly starve the lawn of water so I can water it once every 4-6 weeks too starve the weeds- it just doesn't get that dry here. Furthermore, every winter the moss grows back in.

If I apply lime and compost I expect it will encourage the moss right? Should I get rid of the moss prior to spring maintenance? I'd like to aerate and apply sand to improve drainage but its going to be hard to find that time this year. Should I ignore the moss this year?

Thanks