Ask Me Help Desk - Invasive ground moss

Invasive ground moss

This horrible green moss is taking over my lawn and pasture. Yeech! The mossettes
Are choking the life out of all other plants!
I live in a warm/hot summer area (80-95 degrees) and 3-50 in the winter.
I hoped the summer heat/sun would kill it off, but the slightest bit of water
And it springs back to life and then some. In the winter, it all comes back!
Help!
Farm animals feed in the area so I can't spray it with anything toxic (and
Probably wouldn't want to anyway, for human health's sake).
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Forest

Quote:

Originally Posted by forest2rose

This horrible green moss is taking over my lawn and pasture. Yeech! The mossettes
are choking the life out of all other plants!
I live in a warm/hot summer area (80-95 degrees) and 3-50 in the winter.
I hoped the summer heat/sun would kill it off, but the slightest bit of water
and it springs back to life and then some. In the winter, it all comes back!
Help!
Farm animals feed in the area so I can't spray it with anything toxic (and
probably wouldn't want to anyway, for human health's sake).
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
forest

Hi! forest2rose, and welcome to AMHD :)

First you need to understand your opponent. Irish Moss is hardy to -30°F

Read this on Moss Control in Lawns the second paragraph tells of chemicals and minerals that are deadly to moss, but beneficial to the other plants, and grasses.

There is something going on with that area that allows the moss to grow, but gives other ground covers a hard time to establish themselves.

If you or one of your neighbors has the equipment I'd go and plow that area under an re-seed with something your animals would go for, Oats, Barley or Hay.

For now, the safest thing you can try is probably in your laundry room...
Try diluted chlorine bleach, maybe 1 part to about 8-10 parts water. Spot test first, then you can make it weaker or stronger, and give your animals some credit... I'd still keep an eye on them, but once they get a wiff of the bleach they'll stay away on their own.

K

Thanks - I'll give the bleach a try!
Fr

Your welcome.

I have lots of moss growing around my gardens too. I use a spray bottle with water and some vinegar to keep it under control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by earl237

I have lots of moss growing around my gardens too. I use a spray bottle with water and some vinegar to keep it under control.

Hi! earl237

Yes that's another good one, Vinegar for Weed Control

K