Moss growing in your lawn indicates problems with your lawn’s soil, as well as other environmental factors. The amount of time it takes you to eliminate the moss completely from your lawn depends on the severity of several factors contributing to the moss growth.
Step One
Moss Control Products - A number of products exist that you apply to the lawn to eliminate moss growth. These products contain ferrous sulfate or iron sulfate, or even ferrous ammonium sulfate, which kill the moss without adversely affecting the surrounding grass. Once the moss starts dying, dig it out of the ground using a garden spade, taking care to not damage the nearby grass. The length of time it takes for the product to kill the moss depends on the product used, the amount of moss and the growing environment.
Step Two
Shade and Water - Moss typically grows in consistently shaded areas, rather than in direct sunlight. Eliminate unnecessary branches on trees surrounding your lawn, as well as other large objects that keep sections of your lawn in the shade for a majority of the day. Moss also grows in poor drainage areas, such as depressions in the lawn that allow water to collect. Cut back on how much you water your lawn or install drains and pipes transporting the water to another location.
Step Three
Bare Spots - Moss does not thrive where the grass grows thickly in your lawn. The moss takes advantage of bare spots in your lawn, spreading by discharging spores allowing more moss to grow in nearby bare spots in your lawn. Eliminating moss in your lawn involves seeding bare spots, watering the areas until the seeds begin to grow. Correct other conditions, such as inadequate sunlight, poor drainage or adverse soil conditions, with fertilizer treatments.
Step Four
Compacted Soil - Compacted soil affects water, fertilizer and air penetration into the soil and to the lawn’s roots. This leads to poor lawn growth, water accumulation on top of the soil and moss growth in your lawn. If your lawn’s soil is compacted, aerating it once a year corrects the problem.