When algae, liverworts and mosses grow on borders and containers it is often due to compacted soil, poor drainage and low light levels. In some situations, they can affect and inhibit plant growth; this page looks at how you can avoid potential problems.
Moss can be a real nuisance in garden beds and lawns. While moss provides a pleasing soft green carpet in some landscapes, it quickly becomes a problem when it invades flower beds, vegetable gardens and turf grass areas.
Fortunately, with some diligent effort moss can be controlled and eliminated from places where it is unwelcome. Here are the most effective methods for getting rid of moss in garden soil for good.
What Causes Moss to Grow
Before diving into moss removal techniques, it helps to understand what conditions cause moss to thrive in the first place This knowledge can then be used to correct underlying issues and prevent moss from returning
The main factors that spur moss growth include
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Excess moisture – Moss thrives in damp, soggy or perpetually moist soil. Poor drainage, frequent watering or heavy shade that slows drying encourage moss.
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Acidic soil – Moss prefers acidic conditions below pH 6. Most garden plants grow best at pH 6.5-7.0. Acidic soil inhibits healthy turf grass growth.
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Poor light – Deep shade from buildings, trees or shrubs limits light. Without sufficient sunlight, desired plants can’t outcompete moss.
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Compacted soil – Dense, compressed soil prevents water and air penetration. Moss exploits these poorly aerated spaces.
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Low fertility – Moss adapts to low fertility soils where grass and other plants fail to thrive.
Correcting these underlying causes while removing existing moss growth provides the best defense against future infestations.
Physical Removal
Manually removing surface moss growth is the first line of attack. Fortunately, moss has a shallow root system that detaches easily from soil when disturbed.
Use a stiff broom, plastic rake or hoe to gently loosen and lift moss away. Take care not to dig too deeply and damage plant roots below.
Focus on gently disturbing the top 1-2 inches of soil where moss is present. Remove all debris so moss can’t re-root. Repeat as needed until moss is under control.
For lawns, use a dethatching rake to scarify the surface and remove moss mats. Power dethatchers can also be effective for large areas.
Improve Drainage
Excess moisture is the nemesis when battling moss. Improving drainage makes the soil less hospitable for moss growth. Consider these approaches:
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Incorporate compost to improve soil structure and create air pockets for better drainage
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Top dress lawns with fine gravel or sand to create space between soil particles
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Ensure beds are mounded or slope slightly to avoid puddling
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Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to precisely target water to plant roots
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Let beds dry adequately between waterings
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Space plants appropriately to increase air circulation
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Remove weeds and grass along bed edges to eliminate competition for moisture
Adjust Soil pH
Test soil pH and make adjustments if needed. Moss thrives in acidic conditions below pH 6.0. Raise pH gradually by working in dolomitic lime. Retest pH every few seasons and re-apply lime as needed to maintain ideal pH levels.
Wood ash can also be used to raise pH but effects are less predictable. Start with 1-2 cups per 100 sq ft, retest pH and incrementally add more if required.
Increase Sunlight
Moss flourishes in deeply shaded areas under trees or shrubs. Prune back overhanging branches to open up the canopy and allow more light to reach soil.
For smaller trees, remove lower branches to raise the canopy. For larger trees, selectively thin inner branches to let light filter through.
If possible, removing dense evergreens like pine trees can make a significant difference by eliminating substantial shade.
Apply Moss Control Products
For severe moss infestations, specialty moss control products can be useful. Look for products containing ferrous sulfate, ferric sulfate or potassium salts of fatty acids. Follow label directions carefully.
Apply liquid products directly to moss growth. Granules can be sprinkled over the soil surface. Avoid plant contact. Reapply regularly as directed until moss regrowth is under control.
These products create a hostile environment by drying out moss. Avoid watering immediately after application.
Out-Compete Moss with Ground Covers
Once moss is under control, plant spreading groundcovers to occupy bare soil and prevent moss recolonization. Choose low-growing perennials suited to the growing conditions.
Good options include thyme, sedum, vinca minor, liriope, creeping phlox, ajuga. Maintain dense coverage by dividing overgrown clumps every few years.
Annuals like sweet alyssum and dianthus quickly fill space. Use them as temporary placeholders until perennials become established.
Be Vigilant Against Regrowth
Be prepared to spot-treat any moss regrowth quickly to avoid reinfestation. Check for new growth near edges and under trees or eaves where moisture collects. Address problem areas before they expand.
Pay extra attention during wet seasons. When possible, let beds dry out between rains to discourage moss. Maintain healthy soil and plants to withstand brief moss outbreaks when conditions favor its growth.
With persistence and care in addressing the factors that trigger moss, you can reclaim your garden beds and lawn as moss-free zones. Adjust soil, moisture, light and maintenance practices to favor healthy plants over pesky moss growth.
What are algae, liverworts and mosses?
Algae are simple, plant-like organisms. They can photosynthesise (harness the energy in sunlight) but don’t have true roots, stems or leaves. Algae form a thin, green layer on the surface of soil or other growing media and become powdery when dry. Algae-like Nostoc is a type of cyanobacteria (bacteria that photosynthesises). In gardens, Nostoc species form greenish, jelly-like growths when wet, which become dark and crusty when they dry out.
© Shutterstock
Algae-like Nostoc resembles jelly when wet and becomes dark and crusty when dry
Liverworts are small, low-growing land plants that reproduce by spores. They lack true stems, leaves and roots, but have rhizoids (root-like growths) that anchor them to surfaces. They thrive in damp, compacted soils in shady areas. Liverworts on soil surfaces tend to produce green, flattened, plate-like growth.
© Shutterstock3 / 3Umbrella-like reproductive structures are produced by some liverworts © Shutterstock1 / 3Some liverworts form a low mat of overlapping growth 2 / 3Liverworts often grow alongside mosses in shady borders © Shutterstock3 / 3Umbrella-like reproductive structures are produced by some liverworts © Shutterstock1 / 3Some liverworts form a low mat of overlapping growth 2 / 3Liverworts often grow alongside mosses in shady borders prevnext
In evolutionary terms, mosses are very old, and like other early plants, they reproduce by spores rather than seed. There are many species of mosses that colonise bare soil, ranging from dense mats of flat growth, to loose tufts and rounded cushions.
© Shutterstock2 / 2Common haircap moss favours acid soils and damp conditions but can tolerate drier habitats© Shutterstock1 / 2Rough-stalked feather-moss grows in a range of habitats, including soil in borders © Shutterstock2 / 2Common haircap moss favours acid soils and damp conditions but can tolerate drier habitats© Shutterstock1 / 2Rough-stalked feather-moss grows in a range of habitats, including soil in borders © Shutterstock2 / 2Common haircap moss favours acid soils and damp conditions but can tolerate drier habitatsprevnextSee our guide to Algae, lichens, liverworts and mosses for information on where else in your garden you might find these organisms growing.
If you are interested in learning more about them, the British Phycological Society is a charity committed to the study of algae and the British Bryological Society has a very informative website on liverworts and mosses.
Do I need to get rid of algae, liverworts and mosses from borders and containers?
There is often no need to remove algae, liverworts and mosses from your borders and containers. They perform many useful functions and allowing them to grow:
- Boosts the biodiversity of your garden – many native species of algae, liverworts and mosses can grow in just a small area of garden.
- Provides food and habitats for a large range of garden wildlife – they offer shelter to small creatures, including beetles, spiders, springtails and woodlice, and even smaller microscopic invertebrates such as rotifers, tardigrades and nematodes. Mosses are used by garden birds as nesting material and are a food source for many moths.
- Reduces soil erosion – even a thin layer of growth on the soil surface helps to reduce valuable topsoil being washed away by heavy downpours or blown away by the wind.
- Absorbs excess water – mosses are particularly effective at absorbing water, acting like sponges to soak up rainfall, slow surface water runoff and mitigate flooding.
- Adds character and interest – algae, liverworts and mosses give gardens an atmosphere of maturity and permanence. They can form an interesting tapestry of colour and texture and are particularly useful in damp, shady areas where other plants struggle. For information on using mosses in gardens, see our page on the Magic of Moss.
© Shutterstock
How To Get Rid of Moss In a Lawn Naturally & Fast – HOME REMEDIES
FAQ
What is the best way to remove moss from soil?
A pressure washer with a dirt cutter is best, as it removes not only the moss on the surface, but also the barely visible deposits in the pores of the floor.
Why is moss growing in my garden beds?
Moss tends to grow in a garden when specific conditions favor its development. These conditions include low light levels, high humidity, compacted or poorly drained soil, acidic pH levels, and limited competition from other plants. Moss thrives in…
How to get rid of moss growing in a vegetable garden?
In gardens, there are no chemicals for control of moss that won’t harm other plants. Your best option in flower, vegetable, and landscape beds is to scrape the moss off the soil surface using a hoe. Without real roots, it’s only growing on the surface and is easy to remove. Correct any drainage or compaction problems.
How long does baking soda take to kill moss?
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Clackamas Countyhttps://dochub.clackamas.usMoss on Roofs: Pesticide-Free Control – Clackamas CountyFor treatment, use baking soda when rain is minimal and allow several weeks for the moss to die. Products containing d-limonene (citrus oil) are also effective …
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The ProClean Teamhttps://goteamproclean.comDoes Baking Soda Kill Moss? Effective Natural SolutionsAug 13, 2024 — How long does it take for baking soda to kill moss? It typically takes a few days to a few weeks for baking soda to kill moss, depending on the meth…
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Window Herohttps://windowhero.comEverything You Need to Know for DIY Roof Moss RemovalFeb 18, 2022 — In addition to a vinegar-water solution, you can also use baking soda as an all-natural alternative. Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda per one liter …
How do you remove moss from a garden?
Moss uses rhizoids to anchor onto surfaces. The rhizoids are so thin that they do not even need the soil. They can anchor into mulch, stones, bricks, concrete pavers, and even the wood of raised garden beds. To remove the moss, use a hand rake (or fork) to scrape it from underneath. It lifts off in a clump or sheet, depending on the type of moss.
How do you prevent moss growth?
Preventing moss involves improving soil drainage through aeration and adding organic matter, along with adjusting soil pH levels. Regular monitoring and maintenance can help create an environment less conducive to moss re-establishment. What plants are best for avoiding moss growth?
Why is Moss a problem in my garden?
An abundance of moss can overshadow the beauty of flowers and foliage. Soil Health Issues: Dense moss cover can prevent air circulation and drainage. This restricts root growth and leads to soil compacting. Understanding these aspects can help you make effective choices in managing moss in your garden soil.
How do I reclaim my garden from a moss invasion?
Let soil dry out between waterings whenever possible to deprive moss of the constantly damp conditions it depends on. With persistence and care in adjusting your garden conditions, you can reclaim your beds from a moss invasion. Pay close attention to moisture, light, and soil pH for the healthiest habitat for your plants.
How do you kill Moss?
Moss Killers: Apply moss-specific herbicides, typically containing ferric sulfate or potassium salt. Follow product instructions for effective results. Bleach Solution: A diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) can kill moss. Use a sprayer and apply directly to the affected areas. Rinse plants nearby thoroughly to avoid damage.
How do I control moss in my Powell River Lawn?
The key to natural moss control for Powell River lawns is to adjust the environment so moss isn’t keen to grow in your flower beds or garden. To do this, you’ll need to: Moss likes soggy conditions. If it’s growing in your garden or flower beds, you’ll want to adjust your watering habits and amend the soil to improve drainage.