thick long term moss

[bunty39]

our large lawn that's been neglected for years is thick with moss. we've lowered hedges to let more light in., there doesn't appear to be a problem with drainage., we've been over it many times with a bosch electric lawnraker/scarifier, and although we have to empty the box after every stretch, there doesn't seem to be an end to the moss. any suggestions as to how to proceed? would appreciate suggestions.

[Clanad]

There are products here in the U.S. that are in bottles attached to the end of the water hose (your hosepipe, no?) that one sprays on the moss embedded in lawns. Even then, it's best to try and rake up as much as you can. The application may take two or three times about a week apart, but it does seem to work.

Hint... after you rake the lawn and treat it (if you choose to) top seed it heavily with a good quality lawn seed. Just hand cast it or use one of the little "whirlybird" seeders, but apply it thickly. The best time to do that, at least in our northern U.S. latitude would be early September... Water well after the seeding.

[bunty39]

thank you Clanad,
we treated it with mosskiller, but only once. your suggestion of retreating it several times about a week apart is certainly worth trying. we have time to get the area ready for seeding in september if we start again now.
thanks for that, Clanad

[Robinia]

Don't rake live moss it just spreads it around...I've given up now, too much like hard work :o) The best thing for getting rid of it (for a while at least) is a long, hot, dry summer followed by a good raking of the dead stuff. Good luck with it!

[237SJ]

I used Evergreen Complete lawnfeed last year which killed the moss as well. It never came back. It`s not particularly attractive as the dead moss stayed brown but that`s because I never removed it.

[bunty39]

thankyou all.
a long hot dry summer, Robinia. whats that? central scotland isn't famous for it.
thanks also 237SJ. you won't be offering to come and rake it for me then?

[agardner09]

The simple answer to your problem is that you have a lawn in the wrong place, one where moss loves to grow. I presume moving the lawn is not an option!
I agree that spring and autumn are the times to actually do something about the moss, you need to discourage the moss and encourage the grass. Crack on with your scarification just to reduce the amount of moss. Killing the damn stuff with mosskiller would be best in spring but you can buy treatments that are effective in early autumn i.e. before any frost. You can also help by aerating with a fork and adding new grass seed. Finally I suggest keeping what grass there is longer that normal, It helps to shade out the moss. Good luck, you have a fight on your hands.

[bunty39]

hello agardner09
it's always a pleasure to get an answer to my question. no! moving my lawn is not an option. the advice you gave was confirmed by a horticulturist i spoke to today in b&q. i think they must have decided that it was a good investment employing him. he certainly knows his stuff.
thank you. " i'll be back ".