Knowledgebase

Moss invasion #742003

Asked April 01, 2021, 4:06 PM EDT

I maintain several large natural vegetation ground areas with may apples/ some trilium/ and periwinkel growing under giant shady Oak trees. These have become laden with large moss patches. I also occasionally find morel mushrooms in the mix. Lots of acorns too! The moss is taking over and I try to rake it out but ?? not having much luck without tearing up the good stuff. One area 90 x 30; another 30 by 60; and now invading the lawn area of 30 x 50 for a total of

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

After looking at your photos:

FIRST I'm going to recommend doing a soil test on your yard to learn what type of soil you have, pH, fertility, organic content and much more. It only costs $25 and they will provide you with a fertilizer recommendation in addition to the analysis of your soil sample. Tell them you have a moss problem too. Click on the links to read more info and order a soil test: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer

Moss is an opportunistic plant that grows where lawns are thin and struggling. Moss is most commonly associated with shallow, rocky soils; poor soil fertility; low soil pH (acid soils); heavy shade; soil compaction and excessive moisture (all conditions that diminish healthy turf growth). To control moss, you need to a) Promote a healthy lawn, b) Dethatch or chemically treat moss-infested areas, or both and c) Renovate the lawn.

I suggest you create mulched areas under your trees that are meant to support may apple, trillium periwinkle and more and not lawn or moss (10' to 15' diameter rings or ovals?). Mulch with shredded leaves and/or wood chips. Even lawns of shade tolerant fescue grass will struggle to grow in very shady areas so put shade tolerant plants there instead. (less lawn to mow!)

a) Use the soil test results to guide you in creating a remaining lawn area that will support turf grasses strong enough resist moss growth. You may need to add organic material and/or lime, improve poor drainage, etc. DO NOT prune your Oak trees (to reduce shade) except between Thanksgiving and March 1st to avoid being susceptible to a fatal disease called Oak Wilt.

b) Once a favorable lawn environment is there, treat for moss. Info in the links below.

c) Then thicken the remaining lawn by over-seeding. Since your lawn looks thin in the photos I would consider renovating the lawn starting in mid-Aug when temperatures cool and fall rains being moisture. Use shade tolerant grass seed where shade is a problem. This will allow plenty of time for new seed to germinate and become established before winter.

Moss invasion #742003

Expert Response

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