How do I control moss in a home lawn in Warren County Virginia?
Date of Correspondence: March 22, 2004 Recommendation: Some areas of the lawn may not be suitable for turfgrass. Deep shade will make turfgrass maintenance difficult. Trim lower tree limbs to increase light and air movement. Identify drainage issues and improve soil drainage by improving the slope of the land, installing drainpipe, and/or core aerating the lawn. Aerate the lawn with a coring device in spring and fall and seed with a mixture of turf-type tall fescue and fine fescue. Use proper fertility regimes such as 1 lb of nitrogen fertilizer per acre in September and again in November. If needed, 0.5 to 1 lb of nitrogen per acre can be applied in March or April. When seeding turfgrass, use an appropriate starter fertilizer and apply at least 1 lb phosphorous per acre. The most infested areas may be better served with a decorative mulch rather than turfgrass. For selective moss control as a temporary fix, several moss-killing chemicals are available at your local hardware store. The
