As a homeowner, keeping your lawn lush, green, and free of weeds and moss can be a constant battle. Moss especially thrives in the damp, shady areas of the yard that grass struggles to grow in And weeds always seem to creep into the sunniest spots. While hand pulling weeds and raking up moss works for small infestations, most homeowners need the help of targeted lawn care products when facing a full-scale invasion.
In this guide, I’ll walk through the pros and cons of natural and chemical weed and moss control options. My goal is to provide homeowners with the information they need to make the best choice for their landscaping needs and personal preferences. After all, what works for my neighbor’s lawn may not be right for mine.
The Best Natural Moss Killers
For those looking to avoid synthetic chemicals, natural moss removal methods are the way to go They may take a bit more effort, but the peace of mind that comes from an organic approach is worth it. Here are some of the most popular natural moss killers
Vinegar: Acetic acid in full-strength vinegar can dry out and kill moss. Be sure to avoid getting vinegar on desired plants.
Dish Soap: A solution of dish soap and water can sometimes eliminate moss by dehydrating it. Reapply daily until moss dries out.
Baking Soda: Changes the pH of soil to make it less hospitable to moss. May take months to work.
Lemon Juice: The citric acid in lemon juice raises the acidity of soil to deter moss growth.
Table Salt: Moss dries out because salt crystals soak up water from it. Avoid getting salt on grass and other plants.
Hydrogen peroxide: When it comes in contact with moss, the extra oxygen molecule can damage the cell walls. Use 3% solution.
Overall, vinegar seems to provide the fastest natural moss control. But mixes like soap and salt or lemon and baking soda make them work better. Just keep in mind that these natural methods don’t always get rid of moss for good. Moss-free grass can grow well if you take care of the soil’s moisture, shade, and pH.
Chemical Moss Control Products
Chemical moss killers containing iron, copper, or other ingredients provide the most powerful control. A single application can eradicate moss for an entire season or more. They work by:
- Drying out moss
- Inhibiting photosynthesis
- Interrupting other cellular processes
The two active ingredients to look for are iron sulfate and copper sulfate. Brand name products like Scotts Moss Control and Ortho Moss Killer also contain surfactants and spreader stickers.
While fast and effective, exercise caution when using chemical moss killers:
- Keep people and pets off treated areas until dry
- Avoid runoff into gardens and water sources
- Rinse off surfaces to avoid staining
- Wear protective gear during application
Spot treating only mossy areas instead of blanketing the whole lawn can limit exposure. And be sure to read labels thoroughly before use.
Weed Control Options for Lawns
Much like moss, weeds can plague an otherwise beautiful lawn. Crabgrass, dandelions, and clover are just a few usual suspects. When weeds start to outnumber grass, it’s time to take action. Here are go-to products for winning the weed war:
2,4-D: This selective herbicide targets broadleaf weeds but won’t harm grass. Sold under brand names like Trimec.
Glyphosate: Non-selective and systemic, it can eliminate any plant it touches. Use carefully to avoid grass damage.
Corn Gluten Meal: Prevents weed seeds from germinating for up to 2 months. May also fertilize.
Acetic Acid: The active ingredient in horticultural vinegar that kills weeds by desiccating foliage.
Boiling Water: Kills weeds instantly on contact. Pour directly on undesired growth.
Salt: Creates a temporary sterile zone around established weeds. Moisture-loving plants die first.
Flame Weeding: Uses a torch to scorch and destroy emerging weeds. Takes some practice.
For spot treating a few scattered weeds, horticultural vinegar is the best natural choice. Non-selective herbicides carefully applied to unwanted plants only are ideal for large infestations. And pre-emergents like corn gluten meal provide lasting early weed prevention.
When to Apply Lawn Moss and Weed Control Products
Spring and fall are the prime seasons for tackling lawn moss and weeds. Applications made during active growth periods allow products to translocate most effectively. Avoid hot, dry summers when treatments may just burn plants.
Early spring weeding clears the way for grass to flourish through the growing season. And fall offers ideal conditions for destroying perennial weeds and mosses before winter. But don’t wait until your yard is overrun. Employing preventative weed control and moss removal as needed preserves a lush landscape.
Final Thoughts
No single solution for clearing moss and weeds will fit every homeowner’s needs. But with the right information in hand, you can confidently select products aligned with your health, environmental and effectiveness priorities. I hope the natural and chemical control options covered here provide a helpful starting point on your journey to a pristine lawn.
While chemicals deliver quicker results, repeated use can damage soil health. And natural methods like vinegar work best on young, actively growing moss and weeds. For the most effective and sustainable results, I recommend addressing the root causes contributing to the problem areas through improved lawn maintenance practices. Your grass will thank you!
Controlling Existing Lawn Moss
The best time to treat moss is when its actively growing. That typically happens during the fall rains, warm winter rains and early spring. Lawn mosses don’t need a lot of food or light to live, but they do need to be moist, both inside and outside the plant.
Moss control products based on iron and naturally occurring iron substances, such as ferrous sulfate, are highly effective at killing lawn moss by drawing out moisture so mosses dry up, turn black and die. Lilly Miller’s Moss Out! line of moss killers includes several iron-based products that will quickly kill lawn moss and help your grass:
Always follow product label instructions closely, and only use these products on lawns. Iron-based moss controls naturally cause rustlike stains, which can affect sidewalks and other hard surfaces.
Effective iron-based products kill moss and improve your lawn at same time.
How To Get Rid of Weeds And Moss In Your Lawn With Aftercut All In One
FAQ
When should I put weed and moss killer on my lawn?
1. Where and When to useUse on established lawns (6+ months old)Apply from May to August when grass, weeds and moss are actively growing. Allow weeds to grow 3 days before treatment to maximise leaf area for weedkiller absorption. Apply on a calm day when the soil is moist and the grass is dry.
What kills moss but not grass?
Mix Soap and Water – Mix a small batch to kill a small patch of moss by combining 2 ounces of dish soap and 1 gallon of water in a garden hand sprayer bottle. Apr 26, 2024.
Should you apply moss killer or weed and feed first?
By that time the weeds are in active growth, so the weedkiller elements is more likely to work. Moss should be dealt with separately at the beginning of the year, and then a fertilizer that kills moss, weeds, and grass should be used later.
Can you apply moss killer and weed and feed at the same time?
Regarding the moss, you could apply a moss killer at about the same time as the weed killer, but do not mix those in the same sprayer (liquids) or spreader (granules). Moss is the result of shade, moisture, compaction, and perhaps poor fertility for the grass.