Moss will return to lawns time and time again if gardeners make common October mistake
Moss is a common problem for gardeners in the UK, and it can be difficult to get rid of it. However, there are some things you can do to prevent moss from returning
Most gardeners acknowledge that grass shouldn't be cut when damp, even if it's just slightly moist.
The blades will rip rather than receiving a clean slice, and frequently bunch together in the cutting machine. Additionally, soggy, soft earth can become compressed under the mower's bulk, which hampers root development.
However, cutting isn't the only task that should cease in October. Those with moss problems should avoid raking it away, according to specialists at Lawnsmith. When present, moss becomes more noticeable during chillier, damper conditions.
The Lawnsmith team explained: "You're too late now to consider raking the moss out, as there may not be sufficient grass growth for the lawn to repair and recover afterwards, leaving it open to even more moss."
Thankfully for green-fingered enthusiasts, there's a straightforward alternative for maintaining dense and robust turf during winter whilst preventing moss invasion, reports the Express.
How to eliminate garden moss
Turf specialists recommend using organic approaches to tackle lawn moss, which primarily involve keeping the grass as moisture-free as feasible.
Oxygen circulation around turf roots might be restricted in clay or compressed ground, making grass "become stressed and weak", Lawnsmith noted.
Creating hollow holes in the lawn could enhance water flow, or at minimum boost drainage in the upper two inches, and this can be undertaken during autumn.
For expansive lawns, fitting drainage systems might provide a superior long-term remedy. Morning dew on grass is a familiar autumn sight, just like condensation appearing on windows. But when a lawn lacks proper airflow, the dew hangs around far too long, leaving the grass constantly sodden.
Whilst this creates ideal conditions "wonderful for the moss", Lawnsmith explains it's extremely damaging for grass. The fix is straightforward: boost airflow and ventilation to your lawn by pruning back dense plant borders or relocating bulky garden furniture.
READ MORE: Monty Don says prune 8 garden plants during October to get them 'autumn ready'Gardeners should bear in mind that shaded grass areas, hemmed in by walls or fencing, may struggle with persistent dew and prove tricky to resolve. It's not only overly saturated lawns that cause headaches during the colder months.
Lawn sections with shallow soil depth, or those bordering patios or driveways, can rapidly become parched at the boundaries. Whilst the drying occurs during summer's heat, moss quickly colonises once the grass becomes dormant and wet conditions become more common.
Moss might emerge even earlier if the grass has perished from excessive dryness before summer concludes. Prevention beats treatment in this instance, which is why you're better off raking away the moss from the edges and beginning afresh on the troubled patch.
Eliminate the moss, excavate the mossy material and then re-sow with quality topsoil. Complete the job with a grass seed blend suited to the area's specific conditions.
It's worth maintaining lawns clear of fallen foliage throughout autumn and winter to stop additional moss development. Lawn experts have stated that weekly collection is "essential for maintaining healthy grass and reducing the presence of moss, disease, and worm activity".