Groundcover - Moss
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  (March) I really need your help. I live in Mountain Home and have noticed a problem with my lawn and with my neighbors lawns. That problem is moss. It is growing on all 4 sides of my house. I thought it would only grow on the north side, but it is also on the southwest side and on the east side of my house. It's growing in areas that get quite a bit of sun. What I'd like to know is, what caused this, how do I get rid of it from my lawn before it completely kills my grass, and how do I prevent it from happening again?

  I happen to like moss, and wish I had more of it. However, not everyone shares my opinion. Moss is there for one of four reasons, or a combination of them. Poor drainage, compacted soil, shade and acidic pH are usually the causes. Determining which factors you have, and then solving the problem, should help to reduce your chances of it reoccurring. You can kill moss by scraping it off or spraying with copper sulfate, but it will come back strong, unless you solve the reason you have it. Have your soil tested for pH at your local extension office. If the soil is too acidic, liming can help. Compacted soils can be aerated or tilled. Heavy shade doesn't sound like your problem, but limbing up to increase light can help. Drainage is by far the hardest to solve.

  I heard you mention that moss was a good groundcover, and I agree. I have a lot of shade with some moss growing. In addition, however, I have some shaggy grasses. I would like to kill the grass and foster the moss. I need a grass killer that won’t harm the moss. I’ve tried Ornamec, with little success. Next, I need a suggestion on how to prompt my moss to spread. The area is dry shade due to large trees. I have planted a large assortment of shade plants, including Lady’s Mantle and Japanese painted fern, but they simply could not take the heat, despite being in the shade. I lust after a lush shade garden, help!! (Ola)

  Moss is a wonderful groundcover. If you have some grass in a shady location, chances are good that it is a cool season grass. Try using Poast or Vantage. It is best applied in the spring or early summer when the grasses are small. You may need a second application. The only repercussions with this herbicide would be a potential for a little burning of the moss due to the crop oil or surfactant that is used with it. To increase your moss, use two or three light applications of an acidic fertilizer such as azalea food, Mir-Acid or aluminum sulfate. Be sure to water them in well, and apply them lightly. Do this in the spring as the growing season begins.

For your shade perennials, I don’t think heat is the culprit, but possibly lack of moisture. Many shade loving perennials, like a moist environment. Try enriching the soil with organic matter, and don’t forget to water. Mulching can also help to hold moisture in.

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