Moss Treatment
Page Contents
- What is moss?
- Why does moss grow on lawns and other grassy lands?
- Why does moss grow on roofs and hard surfaces?
- Why is it a problem to leave it?
- Moss treatment options
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is moss?
Mosses are small, non-flowering plants which produce spores, have stems and leaves but do not have true roots. Moss has the ability to grow in a variety of situations such as on hard surfaces and within turf/lawns.
Why does moss grow on lawns and other grassy areas?
Moss growth within lawns can be caused by a variety of different factors. Poor growing conditions are actually favourable for moss to grow so if you have any of the following you could be at risk of moss growth:
- Shaded areas
- Wet weather
- Mowing turf too short
- Compacted soil
Why does moss grow on roofs and hard surfaces?
Mosses are most commonly found growing in damp conditions due to the fact that they require moisture for growth and reproduction. Another contributing factor to moss and algae growth on hard surfaces is if the area is poorly drained and is in a shady area.
Why is it a problem to leave it?
There are many different reasons as to why moss growths shouldn't be left. If it is growing in situations such as patios and paving then it can cause these areas to become slippery therefore a hazard to passers-by. On top of this, if the moss is growing on roof tiles it can look unsightly and even begin to block gutters and drainage points.
When moss is growing within lawns there are even more reasons why you shouldn't leave it untreated. When moss grows within lawns it is often a sign that there is a problem with the conditions the lawn is growing in whether that be due to waterlogging, acidic soils or insufficient aeration. As well as this, if left moss can spread and take over the lawn. Moss growing within paddocks has a similar effect and can take over large areas of grazing land, reducing valuable grazing areas for horses and other grazing animals.
Moss Treatment Options
There are a variety of moss treatment options available however they differ greatly depending on whether the moss is growing within the lawn or on a hard surface.
Hard surface moss treatment options
When it comes to thinking of a moss treatment to use on hard surfaces, we would recommend that a softwash/hard surface cleaner is used. These products will clean moss and algae from the area while also helping to keep the area clean for a period of time. At ProGreen we have several options available for this such as the market leader AlgoClear and Mac Hi Power.
In order to apply these treatment options we advise upon the following:
- Lay tarpaulin or fleece over flowerbeds, lawns and surrounding areas. Not only will this protect plants from spray drift but it will also speed up the cleaning up process. If you are treating roofs then downpipes should be blocked off (many people do this by placing tennis balls at the top of the downpipe). Although softwashing solutions are rapidly broken down in the environment and plants will recover quickly, application to non-target areas should be limited.
- Scrape or brush large clumps of moss and vegetation from the surface. Although many of our softwashing solutions are capable of controlling larger clumps, they must be thoroughly drenched, increasing the product usage. Not all situations will require this step.
- Dilute your hard surface cleaner/softwashing solution as per the guidelines on the product label for the surface area being treated.
- Spray the area that you are cleaning with a steady flow ensuring that areas that are more heavily affected by moss/algae are covered thoroughly.
- Once sprayed, the product will remain on the surface that has been treated, helping to keep the area clean for a period of time.
Lawn moss treatment solutions
Moss that is growing within lawns and other turfed areas needs to be dealt with very different from how you'd treat moss growing on a hard surface. To begin with, you can either use spreadable granules or a sprayable liquid as a moss treatment, both of which usually have some fertiliser or seaweed added to encourage the grass to re-establish once the moss has been controlled. Many of these moss control products contain iron which helps to blacken and kill moss making it ready to be raked and removed.
How often should you treat it?
When it comes to moss treatments for hard surfaces, the process can be done at any point during the year. Once you have applied products such as AlgoClear Pro, you will get some residual properties helping to keep the area clean of moss for a period of time. The amount of time these areas will remain clean depends on their location. For example, if the hard surface is located in heavy shade, the moss and algae will return sooner.
For treating moss in lawns/turf it is advised that it should be treated in spring/early summer or in the autumn. Unlike the moss treatments we have available for hard surfaces, the moss treatments for lawns do not have residual effects so you will need to apply treatments when moss regrows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will it take for moss and algae to return on hard surfaces?
A. The length of time it takes for regrowth to appear will depend on the conditions. Areas in heavy shade which remain damp for long periods can begin to see some light green staining after a couple of years. In areas that are less perfect for moss and algae, regrowth can take up to 4 to 5 years. Moss is very slow growing so with the thorough clean provided by many of our softwash solutions, it can take moss in excess of 10 years to return. We would advise, however, that roofs are treated every 5 years so that they are kept on top of.
Q. Will grass grow back after moss?
A. Yes, grass will grow back after moss has been controlled. Many lawn moss control products contain fertiliser or seaweed to encourage the regrowth of grass. If the moss was covering a large area and you are left with a bare patch, we would recommend overseeding this with some grass seed
