Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00001567
01/01/98

Controlling Moss in the Lawn

Moss grows in the lawn when shade, low fertility or poorly  
drained soil are present.  The moss does not kill the       
grass, the growing conditions are so unfavorable to the     
grass it dies out.  Moss will grow on acid soil but this    
is not the main reason it will grow in a particular  area.  
Do not add lime to try to control a moss problem unless a   
soil test indicates a need for lime.                        

Shade and poor drainage can only be corrected with some     
difficulty.  Low fertility can be corrected by using a      
lawn fertilizer.                                            

Moss can be killed by spraying with copper sulfate or       
iron sulfate at the rate to 2 to 5 ounces in 4 gallons of   
water.  The 4 gallons is sufficient to cover 1000 square    
feet.  Killing the moss without correcting the conditions   
that favor its growth will not prevent a reoccurrence of    
the problem.                                                

Where shade is quite heavy it may be easier to plant a      
shade adapted ground cover rather than try to grow grass.   

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