Lawn guide
Replacing a mossy lawn
Moss loves damp, shady, compacted lawns, which describes a lot of gardens in the North East. Sometimes it can be treated. Sometimes there's more moss than grass and a new lawn is the better answer.
Why moss takes over
Moss doesn't push grass out; it moves into space where grass is struggling. The usual reasons are shade, poor drainage, compaction, acidic soil, low feeding and mowing too short. Our damp autumns and mild winters give it a long season to spread.
Treat or replace?
| Your lawn | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Patches of moss in mostly healthy grass | Treat in spring or autumn, rake out, feed and overseed |
| Moss through most of the lawn, grass thin | Replacing is usually quicker and more reliable |
| Moss returns every year despite treatment | Fix the cause: drainage, shade or compaction, then replace |
| Lawn is soft and spongy underfoot | Thick thatch and moss; replacing gives a clean start |
Treating moss yourself
Apply a moss killer in spring or autumn and wait for the moss to blacken. Rake it out thoroughly with a spring-tine rake or scarifier (there'll be more than you expect). Then aerate, feed and overseed the bare areas. It takes time, and you'll need to keep on top of the causes or it will come back.
What replacing involves
We lift the mossy lawn with its roots and thatch, take it away, then deal with the conditions underneath: breaking up compaction, adding topsoil where it's thin and levelling dips that hold water. Fresh turf goes down on the prepared ground. In shady spots we'll talk about letting more light in, as no turf thrives without it. See lawn replacement.
Keeping moss away afterwards
Mow at a sensible height rather than scalping, feed in spring and autumn, rake out leaves, and avoid walking on the lawn when it's waterlogged. If shade is the cause, lifting tree branches lets in more light.
Common questions
Can you lay turf over moss?
No. The moss and old grass must come out first, or the new turf can't root into the soil.
Will moss come back in new turf?
Not if the conditions that caused it are improved and the lawn is looked after. Shade and poor drainage are the things to watch.