Moss, a non-vascular plant that reproduces via spores rather than seeds, lacks typical plant features such as leaves, branches, and roots. This highly adaptable plant can thrive in a wide range of environments, including your garden. Moss can grow in nearly any soil condition and can quickly form dense, spongy mats that overshadow grass.
The presence of moss not only detracts from the aesthetic appeal of your lawn but also poses a threat to the health of your grass. Moss can smother grass and compete for vital water and nutrients at the root level. While chemical solutions are available for moss eradication, experts at The Turf Grass Group have endorsed a home recipe that is both effective and environmentally friendly.
For those who prefer to avoid herbicides or are interested in DIY alternatives, a simple “moss-killing solution” can be prepared at home. According to the professionals, “You can mix baking soda with lukewarm water to create an effective DIY herbicide that will work great to kill moss.” The recipe involves blending a small box of baking soda with two gallons of water, as reported by the Express.
This mixture is sufficient to treat approximately 1,000 square feet of moss-infested lawn. For larger areas, simply scale up the mixture while maintaining the same proportions. Use a garden sprayer to apply a generous coating of the solution to the moss. Gardening experts recommend saturating the moss for the best results.
Rest assured that this solution will not harm the surrounding grass. The professionals assert that this treatment “kills the moss in 24 hours,” turning it into an orange or brown hue. Once the moss is dead, it can be easily removed with a metal rake. Moss roots are shallow, so a rake should be sufficient to remove the entire plant.
After removing the moss, dispose of it in sealed bags away from your lawn to prevent the spores from dispersing and reseeding your lawn with additional moss.
