If your lawn is mossy it may mean the grass is acidic or clogged (Image: Getty)
Spring is just around the corner and many gardeners will be eager to get their green spaces looking beautiful again, and one of the most important jobs is from the lawn.
is a common problem after as it can only thrive in damp and shady conditions, but if your is extremely mossy it can often mean the grass is unhealthy.
If moss is left untreated it will compete with grass for resources such as sunlight or water which will further weaken your lawn and stunt its growth.
Ron Henry, a lawncare expert and founder of has shared that moss often grows on acidic lawns that do not have enough nutrients.
He said: “Moss grows more frequently in acidic soil conditions and absorbs all necessary nutrients and moisture from the air. To find out whether or not your soil is too acidic, invest in a home soil pH test kit.”
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A simple way to reduce the acidity of a lawn is to use baking soda and washing-up liquid (Image: Getty)
If your lawn is too acidic then the best way to get it green and healthy again is to invest in the right fertiliser and biostimulants to readjust the pH level.
However, the best way to kill moss without using harsh chemicals is to simply use items you likely already have in your kitchen such as baking soda and washing-up liquid.
Ron said: “If you want to kill moss directly, but you’re not keen on synthetic chemicals, you can make your own DIY moss killer for your lawn.
“Fill a backpack sprayer with two gallons of water combined with one pound of baking soda. Directly spray this formula onto the moss, avoiding other plants as much as possible.
“Alternatively, combining five ounces of dish soap per gallon of water will also quickly kill moss in a handy DIY remedy.”
If your lawn is waterlogged then simply use a rake to get rid of moss and any other decaying plant matter (Image: Getty)
Moss can be difficult to kill as it has a tough waxy layer that can be difficult to get through and damage the spores.
Baking soda is alkaline, which helps raise the pH level to disrupt the moss’ ability to survive and also dries it out so it will eventually dehydrate.
Washing-up liquid contains surfactant which penetrates the mossy exterior to get into any place the moss is growing, and will block air from reaching spores so they will die.
Apply a mixture of baking soda and washing-up liquid on your lawn during a sunny day and the moss will turn brown after a day, so you can simply scrape it up to get rid of it.
However, another reason moss grows on lawns is if the soil is compact, which stops air from getting into the ground and makes it difficult for water to drain away.
Moss can be removed from the lawn (Image: Getty)
To stop this all you need to do is use a rake on the grass after it has rained to help open up the soil and also remove any moss.
Ron said: “Use a bow rake or a leaf rake to pull moss from the soil. It’s best to do this when your lawn is damp, as the soil will be slightly looser.
“Briskly rake the moss from varying angles to pull it up easily and dispose of it properly, ensuring it can’t take root again.”
Getting rid of lawn moss is easy but if done correctly you will give your lawn the best chance to bounce back after winter so it thick and green for the rest of the year.