Moss in the Lawn?
Mossy lawns in western Washington result from native mosses moving into areas where the lawn isn’t growing strongly. Shade, poor drainage conditions, or thin grass areas will encourage moss. Lawns grow best when established in sun, on flat (not steeply sloped) areas, and when properly fertilized and watered. (A slope of about 6 inches in 100 feet is excellent.) Mow the lawn frequently. Good basic lawn care is the best defense against moss. To rid a lawn of moss, correct the basic growing conditions. If the area is significantly shaded, consider replacing the lawn in that location with a shade-adapted ground cover such as vinca (Vinca minor), pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), or ajuga (Ajuga reptans). Lawn grasses can’t grow where water stands; correct drainage problems. Moss infestations can be killed out with chemicals (many of these contain iron). The moss will turn black, and the residue must be raked out of the lawn. Then overseed the bare spots with new grass seeds. If the law
