Many gardeners stop paying attention to their lawns once the mower is put away for the season, but this is exactly when it becomes important to watch out for moss. Moss thrives in wet weather which makes November an ideal time for it to spread, and if it is treated promptly, it can continue to grow throughout winter even as the temperature drops.
Since moss competes with grass for space, letting it go unchecked can weaken your lawn and leave it thin and patchy when spring returns. However, the experts at Moorland’s Lawncare have shared a simple way to treat a lawn that will also leave the grass looking much greener with a substance called iron sulphate. They said: “Moss can be a persistent issue in lawns, especially in shaded or damp areas. Many people ask, ‘Does iron sulphate kill moss?’ The answer is YES!
“Iron sulphate kills existing moss and alters the soil’s pH, making it less suitable for moss growth. By eradicating moss and preventing its return, you maintain a consistently beautiful grass cover.”
Iron sulphate is a natural salt known to kill moss while also strengthening grass so it stays healthy. Moss is extremely sensitive to high iron levels, and when it touches iron sulphate it will quickly dehydrate.
In just a few days the moss will be brown and crispy so you just have to pluck it from the ground and throw it in the bin.
Grass only takes up a small amount of iron through the roots, which helps make it a deeper green colour and reduce stress so it come back thicker once the temperature rises again.
What’s fantastic about this treatment is that it can be used in November, as it works in cold weather. Killing moss early in winter also means that the remaining spores will die over the season, reducing the chance of it becoming a problem next year.
How to use iron sulphate to remove moss from lawns
The best way to use iron sulphate is to dissolve the granules in water as it will help spread the treatment evenly on the lawn so there is less chance of the moss growing back.
It is best to pick a dry day when it is not expected to rain to avoid the solution running off the grass and not being effective. Then, simply mix a ratio of one gram per litre of water for every square meter of lawn covered.
Use a watering can or pump sprayer to mix up the solution, and once it has dissolve use it to water the lawn.
It is best to water the lawn deeply so it gets into the soil, and within the short time the moss should die. You then just have to rake up or pick up the moss so the grass has room to grow thicker and longer.
