If your lawn is looking a bit tired, there’s a natural way to get rid of moss using a common ingredient that’s probably in your kitchen cupboard
Remove moss with bicarb or by scarifying grass(Image: Andrew1Norton via Getty Images)
A lush green lawn is the perfect backdrop for a summer lounge chair or barbecue, yet the season’s heat can encourage moss to flourish if you’re not vigilant. Moss tends to take over gardens during warm spells by exploiting weak, parched areas of the lawn where grass struggles due to insufficient hydration.
It’s crucial to exercise caution when using chemical moss treatments in the summer, as many can scorch the grass and inflict further damage if not applied properly. Nonetheless, Cathy, a seasoned gardener and the brains behind Catrina’s Garden, has divulged a natural method for moss removal that might already be in your pantry – all it takes is a bit of baking soda.
To get rid of moss from lawns, the high absorbency of bicarbonate of soda becomes useful as it draws out moisture and desiccating the moss’s protective outer layer.
How to get rid of moss growing on lawns
Simply blend three tablespoons of baking soda with a litre of water and douse the moss directly.
For optimal results, apply the baking soda solution on a hot, dry day when the moss is more susceptible due to reduced moisture, ensuring it perishes swiftly, reports the Express.
After a few days, the moss should turn brown and brittle, making it easy to collect and dispose of.
Baking soda can be a great help(Image: seng kui Lim / 500px via Getty Images)How to stop moss coming back
To prevent moss from returning, Cathy advises: “If you must grow grass in that spot, you need to look at the reasons why grass won’t grow there. Don’t try and kill the moss. Instead try and make the grass grow better.”
Moss typically thrives on unhealthy lawns where the grass is too feeble to compete, hence addressing the underlying issue is crucial to prevent this spongy nuisance from returning.
The most prevalent problem is compact soil beneath your grass, necessitating lawn aeration to loosen the ground using a pitchfork.
Another solution is scarifying the lawn, a straightforward gardening process that involves using a rake to eliminate any dead organic matter atop the grass that could be suffocating your lawn.
Moss can be tricky to get rid of but it’s not impossible(Image: Ali Majdfar via Getty Images)
Excessive moisture accumulation on the lawn could also be a cause, which isn’t usually a significant concern in summer, but aerating and scarifying can enhance water drainage.
The third major reason for mossy lawns is high acidity, so conducting a soil test and then fertilising the grass with compost can help restore its health.
Investing time in checking your lawn this summer will result in healthier grass that remains lush green and free from moss.