Daffodils and wild garlic are making an appearance and we’ve officially entered meteorological spring, even if the weather is still rather changeable. Many will be gearing up to mow their lawns for the first time in weeks or even months.
Experts say it will be mild enough to dust off your mower from Friday, March 13, based on Met Office temperature trends. But on venturing into the garden, some may be dismayed to discover their once lush lawn has been invaded by moss.
It doesn’t ‘kill’ grass; rather, it waits for the grass to thin out or die due to poor conditions, then moves into the vacant space. “Moss is always a symptom of poor drainage, made worse by shade,” says Gardeners’ World presenter, Monty Don.
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Moss spreads via spores, drawing moisture and nutrients directly through its tiny leaves. Left untreated, the fuzzy green growth can creep across lawns until it crowds out the grass completely.
If you have moss, it’s a sign that your lawn is struggling due to excessive shade, soggy or compacted soil and a lack of nutrients. This means the grass grows sparsely, leaving gaps for moss spores to land, reports Devon Live.
However, it’s not all bad; moss provides a damp, cool habitat for beneficial insects and spiders that keep your garden’s ecosystem balanced. It can also soak up a massive amount of rainfall, reducing runoff and helping to manage soggy spots in the garden.
Japanese zen gardens have used moss for centuries, but if you’re not going for that look, Monty has a simple lawn tip. He says: “The answer is to work on it at least once a year by sticking a fork in the ground and wiggling it about and repeating the process every six inches or so.”
Stabbing the soil with a garden fork helps relieve compaction and aids drainage – it’s also quite therapeutic. Alternatively, strap on a pair of lawn aerator shoes to wear while mowing, or use a spiked roller or specially designed lawn aerator tool.
“To achieve a ‘good’ lawn, you have to adopt a positive mindset,” says Monty. “Focus your efforts on promoting healthy grass rather than battling perceived ‘problems’ like daisies, moss, ants, worm-casts, moles, plantains, dandelions and fairy rings. Nine times out of ten if the grass is healthy then everything else will take care of itself.”
Aerate your lawn
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Garden fork: Save 23% on the Spear & Jackson Digging Fork, now £20 on Amazon. Mirror polished stainless steel head with robust weather-proofed hardwood shaft.
Spiked roller: The Outsunny Heavy Duty Lawn Aerator costs £23.99 at Robert Dyas. Features a 425mm-wide steel roller with nails that dig in the ground and an adjustable handle.
Shoe spikes: A pair of Lawn Aerator Shoes are down to £18.47 on Amazon. The strap-on spiked sandals have adjustable fasteners to fit all shoe sizes. Wear while mowing and do two jobs in one!
Lawn aerator: The Colwelt T-Handle Grass Spike is down to £25.99 on Amazon. Powder coated steel tool with four 9cm-spikes. Wide foot plate to maximize downward force and cushioned non-slip handle.
Prices correct at the time of publication.
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