Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001567
11/12/99
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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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
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a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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