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Moss has returned to my lawn

Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
edited August 2020 in Problem solving
Hi all, I spent weeks in March/April trying to remove the moss from my lawn. We are on heavy clay soil. I used iron sulphate to blacken it, spent weeks raking it out, put more iron sulphate on 4 weeks after the first application to kill the moss roots, hollow tine aerated it, adding a grit/compost mix & put new grass seed on the bare patches, watering it twice a day. Then used an organic lawn fertiliser.

Well...the moss has come back! :( wondering if adding lots of well composted horse manure as a topdressing might help with the drainage & help the grass outcompete the moss.

Any thoughts?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2020
    If the conditions suit it the moss will keep coming back ... that’s the reason it arrived in the first place. 
    We gardeners can improve the drainage as much as we’re able, rake and scarify and sometimes treat with whatever ... but in most cases it’s ongoing management of a chronic condition ... there’s rarely a cure. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SydRoySydRoy Posts: 167
    2 solutions but both are fairly drastic.. extensive drainage or raise the entire lawn. Heavy clay and boggy lawns must be in the top 3 requests for help on gardening forums!
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    Or get a robot mower! But that's not a cheap or easy solution.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    My front grass is largely a north west facing site, clay soil. It's mainly moss in winter. It gets a weed and feed in spring, and regular mowing. Over a couple of months, the grass takes over, but it's an ongoing thing.
    I do nothing else to it as I know it's lot of work, and I'm not that bothered about a bit of moss, or having a perfect green sward. It still looks better than most other lawns around here.
    I never cut too short either, as that only gives moss the upper hand. That's one of the best approaches, especially if you're in a dry area.

    To be honest, if I stood still long enough here, I'd get covered in moss.
    Sometimes you just have to accept your conditions.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Sam76Sam76 Posts: 151
    Thanks all for your advice :)
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