Moss Weed Killer

Chemical Warfare

• Ferrous sulphate and Dichlorophen are the two basic chemical aids for killing moss outright. They are generally incorporated into the lawn feeds available at hardware stores. Dichlorophen can also be purchased for use on small areas of moss. These chemicals will kill off the problem, but to prevent the reappearance of moss, soil and drainage conditions must be addressed.

Spreader

• Use a handheld spreader to apply weed and moss killer so small areas can be tackled easily. The granules will spread out evenly over the moss to kill it. The moss will turn black in two to three weeks at which time the dead moss can be raked up. Wait until the moss has turned black before removing it or it may spread even more.

Compacted Soil

• Compacted soil is a magnet for moss since it does not allow water to drain through easily. Aerating the soil will help to kill moss since the soil will slowly become more porous. Applying dolomitic lime to the area will provide calcium to the soil and raise the pH level. This will help the uptake of nutrients and, since moss enjoys nutrient-poor soil, it may kill or reduce the weed. Thinning out tree branches to open the area up to more light can also help to reduce or kill moss.

Moss Control

• Moss can be discouraged from growing by vigorously raking out the existing moss. Moss has very shallow roots and should easily detach from the soil. These bare patches can then be overseeded with grass.

Mowing

• Grass should be cut at the correct height, approximately 2 to 3 inches high. This will keep the lawn healthy and discourage the growth of moss. Cutting the grass too short weakens the roots and encourages moss to grow.