moss in lawn

We live in the midwest. We recently purchased a condo with lawncare provided by our homeowners association. They do a pretty good job, however we have moss growing on the east side of our condo. How do we eliminate the moss (or suggest to our lawncare people)?

Usually, moss indicates a low pH. I think the first thing to do is to test the pH. If the pH is, indeed, low, then add lime.

I find moss in our lawn on the shaded side of a fence, whereas there isn't any elsewhere.  Insufficient sunlight also appears to be a factor.

My yard is quite shady and over the last three years the moss has taken over a third of the lawn.  Do you have any recommendations on how to get rid or moss?

Thanks...

Moss is a sign of acid soil and lots of water.  Have you soil pH tested and water less.

Also, if you fertilize enough, the grass should quickly outcompete the moss.

I also have moss on my front yard but there is no shade at all. It also is on a bit of a slope if that matters. Any ideas?

First:  test your pH.

I have terrible moss in my lawn.  Yes, it's shady and I have cleared out as much of the pine trees as practical.  Lawn in 25 years old and started showing serious moss about 10 years ago.  I use "Moss Out", but it doesn't do all that well.  Any ideas?  Please respond to my e-mail. cbyx@adelphia.net

A thick, healthy, active turf will outcompete moss.  Proper watering, mowing and fertilizing should do the trick.  And have your pH tested!

One more question.

What about dealing with Moss?  My neighbors mentioned putting lime down in the Fall.  Is this a losing battle.  We have a few oak trees in the yard.  Other than that, the soil back in that area doesn't seem too bad (although I don't know how deep it is).

Thanks,
Hippo

Moss is an indicator of acidic soil.  Lime will be the smart thing - but how much?  Best to have your pH tested.

I think I will finally get the ph tested.  It is $7 here, so not to bad I suppose.

I had bought one of those ph testers 2 years back (the type with the probe that you stick in the ground), but it was always hovering around neutral.  I always felt that thing wasn't really working properly....

Moss is coming back. I moved in, tore out the lawn and moss, dropped topsoil and now we have loads of moss in our lawn, keeping the grass from filling in.

what should be done?

Why not just go with it?  It grows there nicely and withstands some foot traffic, and it's green...why fight it.  Is the area shady and damp?

This article regarding physical control talks about underlying problems.  Good read (aligned with this site's commonly liked ideas) if you gloss over thatch removal and count on worms for aeration.  The gist of it is help compaction/drainage and avoid shady moist lawn.  Low fertility also contributes to moss winning over grass.

Chemical remedies may help now, but if you don't fix the underlying problem you'll be busy next year (or even later this year)...

cool thanks! I need to get some sand in my lawn now! the moss is making it hard for the grass, but yeah, i think the underlying cause is the compacted water shedding soil.

Be careful with sand, it is very difficult to aggregate it with proper amounts into clay soil, so much so  that most end up making harder dirt.  Compost would be a better choice, since it is not so picky about relative amounts vs. clay.

paul wheaton wrote:
Moss is an indicator of acidic soil.  Lime will be the smart thing - but how much?  Best to have your pH tested.

do you figure my three in one moisture, ph, light meter would suffice? i understand the pH will be different on the surface where the moss and its shallow(if any) roots are present.