I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the north
east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3 and
four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the soil. I
was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss and
planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting that
area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
recommendations will be considered

Thanks

John W

"john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
>I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
>problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
>there is very sparse grass and thick moss......

Just curious, why do you not like moss?
Curious Tomes

On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 16:52:36 -0500, "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:

>I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
>problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
>there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the north
>east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3 and
>four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the soil. I
>was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
>little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss and
>planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
>moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting that
>area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
>recommendations will be considered

Have you ever thought of going a different direction? Maybe come up with a
planting scheme that uses the moss as a base/background instead of going with
grass. There are a lot of interesting woodland type planting schemes that might
look fantastic there. If you do decide to take the moss out, and it comes out in
such convenient sheets, do you have any rock work on your lot? Moss and rocks
tend to look rather nice, in fact some people pay quite a bit of money that
install moss covered rocks in their landscapes.

Tony

"john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
> problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
> there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the north
> east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3 and
> four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the soil.
I
> was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
> little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss and
> planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
> moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting
that
> area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
> recommendations will be considered.

Since everyone else is 'tap-dancing' around your original question, I'll
give it a shot.

If the grass is that far gone under the moss, it sounds like you have little
choice but to replace it.

I'd remove all the moss/grass, till, level, and lay new sod. Done.

"norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote in message
news:45NPf.5788$CT.3445 [at] trnddc04...
> "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
> news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
>> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
>> moss
>> problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
>> there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the
>> north
>> east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3
>> and
>> four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the
>> soil.
> I
>> was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
>> little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss
>> and
>> planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
>> moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting
> that
>> area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
>> recommendations will be considered.
>
> Since everyone else is 'tap-dancing' around your original question, I'll
> give it a shot.
>
> If the grass is that far gone under the moss, it sounds like you have
> little
> choice but to replace it.
>
> I'd remove all the moss/grass, till, level, and lay new sod. Done.
>

Yeah I tap danced because I see this a lot. I have moss, how can I get rid
of this evil thing.... I truly wish to know why the moss is considered to
be such a bad thing? We have places in our property that have moss. We use
that. We like that. It grew there because for that micro climate it is
nature's decision that it is the best thing in that spot.

Yep, other folks don't want it and I just wish to know the other side of the
thought process. Not an argument, just quite curious.
Tomes

"Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote in message
news:mcNPf.8775$S25.3690 [at] newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> "norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote in message
> news:45NPf.5788$CT.3445 [at] trnddc04...
> > "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
> >> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
> >> moss
> >> problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at
it
> >> there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the
> >> north
> >> east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3
> >> and
> >> four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the
> >> soil.
> > I
> >> was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with
such
> >> little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss
> >> and
> >> planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass
than
> >> moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting
> > that
> >> area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
> >> recommendations will be considered.
> >
> > Since everyone else is 'tap-dancing' around your original question, I'll
> > give it a shot.
> >
> > If the grass is that far gone under the moss, it sounds like you have
> > little
> > choice but to replace it.
> >
> > I'd remove all the moss/grass, till, level, and lay new sod. Done.
> >
>
> Yeah I tap danced because I see this a lot. I have moss, how can I get
rid
> of this evil thing.... I truly wish to know why the moss is considered to
> be such a bad thing?

Like everything in this world, it's preference. It sounded like John did not
like moss in his grass.


>We have places in our property that have moss. We use
> that. We like that. It grew there because for that micro climate it is
> nature's decision that it is the best thing in that spot.

Agreed. I've got a few spots on my North side where the moss loves to take
over.


> Yep, other folks don't want it and I just wish to know the other side of
the
> thought process. Not an argument, just quite curious.

If we were all the same it would be a boring world :-)

"john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
> moss problem
>
Does it face north?

"Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20060308230205.228$XH [at] newsreader.com...
> "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
> > I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
> > moss problem
> >
> Does it face north?

What if he's an 'Aussie'?

"norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote:
> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:20060308230205.228$XH [at] newsreader.com...
> > "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
> > > I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
> > > moss problem
> > >
> > Does it face north?
>
> What if he's an 'Aussie'?
>
They are north free down under?

"Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20060309000845.652$kG [at] newsreader.com...
> "norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote:
>> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:20060308230205.228$XH [at] newsreader.com...
>> > "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
>> > > I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick
>> > > moss problem
>> > >
>> > Does it face north?
>>
>> What if he's an 'Aussie'?
>>
> They are north free down under?

The effects of 'our' North are Southbound there....

"norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote in message
news:ihNPf.5790$CT.4226 [at] trnddc04...

> If we were all the same it would be a boring world :-)
>

Could not agree with you more.

"Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:20060309000845.652$kG [at] newsreader.com...
> > "norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote:
> >> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:20060308230205.228$XH [at] newsreader.com...
> >> > "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
> >> > > I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a
> >> > > thick moss problem
> >> > >
> >> > Does it face north?
> >>
> >> What if he's an 'Aussie'?
> >>
> > They are north free down under?
>
> The effects of 'our' North are Southbound there....
>
So I'd have to turn my compass upside down? Which side of the tree does the
moss grow on in down those parts? :)

"john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
> problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
> there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the north
> east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3 and
> four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the soil.
I
> was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
> little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss and
> planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
> moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting
that
> area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
> recommendations will be considered
>
> Thanks
>
> John W

Sounds like you are better off stripping back and regrassing rather than
trying to rehabilitate the existing grass. Ensure you take all the moss off
however. You may be better to extend the area you prepare for re grassing to
take in the fringe areas of moss/grass. If the moss is persistent do you
need to consider soil drainage or access to light? Do you need to lay down a
sandy soil to improve drainage or cut back foliage to allow more light in?

I have had problems with moss in various areas of the garden. I have tried
resowing but found the moss returned as, like snother poster said, it was
what grew best there. I have converted those areas to raised gardens or
paths a I was never going to solve sufficiently to my satisfaction the moss
problem.

rob

George.com wrote:
> "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote in message
> news:RmIPf.116576$QW2.13150 [at] dukeread08...
>> I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a thick moss
>> problem that has probably been unattended to for years. When I look at it
>> there is very sparse grass and thick moss. In fact, right now in the north
>> east it is starting to thaw. i can lift the moss up in sheets, maybe 3 and
>> four feet square in size. Underneath, left behind is nothing but the soil.
> I
>> was going to hit the moss with a moss killer but now i wonder , with such
>> little grass left behind, if I am better off just lifting all the moss and
>> planting new grass in the spring. On the fringes there is more grass than
>> moss and it kind of clings to the ground, so I was thinking of hitting
> that
>> area with the moss killer. What do you guys think I should do?? All
>> recommendations will be considered

> Sounds like you are better off stripping back and regrassing rather than
> trying to rehabilitate the existing grass. Ensure you take all the moss off
> however. You may be better to extend the area you prepare for re grassing to
> take in the fringe areas of moss/grass. If the moss is persistent do you
> need to consider soil drainage or access to light? Do you need to lay down a
> sandy soil to improve drainage or cut back foliage to allow more light in?
>
> I have had problems with moss in various areas of the garden. I have tried
> resowing but found the moss returned as, like snother poster said, it was
> what grew best there. I have converted those areas to raised gardens or
> paths a I was never going to solve sufficiently to my satisfaction the moss
> problem.

The advice above is good. The other thing you need to do is adjust the
pH of your soil to make it above 7. Moss (and mushrooms) does not like
sweet soil. Use real lime rather than pelletized limeSTONE. You can
get lime from places that sell tile. Get the hydrated type because
anhydrous lime will pull the water out of anything it touches, including
YOU! NB: Limestone is crushed seashells and it not very basic;
consequently, it will take many, many years to have any effect.

"Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20060309001454.768$i1 [at] newsreader.com...
> "Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
>> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:20060309000845.652$kG [at] newsreader.com...
>> > "norman" <nman [at] msnbc.com> wrote:
>> >> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:20060308230205.228$XH [at] newsreader.com...
>> >> > "john" <big_wig48 [at] cox.net> wrote:
>> >> > > I recently purchased a home. On the side of the yard there is a
>> >> > > thick moss problem
>> >> > >
>> >> > Does it face north?
>> >>
>> >> What if he's an 'Aussie'?
>> >>
>> > They are north free down under?
>>
>> The effects of 'our' North are Southbound there....
>>
> So I'd have to turn my compass upside down? Which side of the tree does
> the
> moss grow on in down those parts? :)

No, you just have to think standing on your head :o) Everything you think
of as being related to north is transferred to being related to south in the
southern hemisphere. Winter is in our summer too.

.... and I expect that the moss grows on the south side there too <grin>.
Tomes

"Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> ... and I expect that the moss grows on the south side there too <grin>.
> Tomes
>
Ahh, so you're not sure either! :)

"Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20060309143009.164$1i [at] newsreader.com...
> "Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
>> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> ... and I expect that the moss grows on the south side there too <grin>.
>> Tomes
>>
> Ahh, so you're not sure either! :)

Oh - I am sure that if there is moss, it would be on the side of the tree
away from the sun: South there. I just have not seen it with my own eyes,
having not been there. :o)

"Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:20060309143009.164$1i [at] newsreader.com...
> > "Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
> >> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> ... and I expect that the moss grows on the south side there too
> >> <grin>. Tomes
> >>
> > Ahh, so you're not sure either! :)
>
> Oh - I am sure that if there is moss, it would be on the side of the tree
> away from the sun: South there. I just have not seen it with my own
> eyes, having not been there. :o)
>
So back to my original on topic question, does it face north? (except for
Tomes down under compass)

"Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20060312045223.771$da [at] newsreader.com...
> "Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
>> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:20060309143009.164$1i [at] newsreader.com...
>> > "Tomes" <askme [at] here.net> wrote:
>> >> "Steveo" <moparholic [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> ... and I expect that the moss grows on the south side there too
>> >> <grin>. Tomes
>> >>
>> > Ahh, so you're not sure either! :)
>>
>> Oh - I am sure that if there is moss, it would be on the side of the tree
>> away from the sun: South there. I just have not seen it with my own
>> eyes, having not been there. :o)
>>
> So back to my original on topic question, does it face north? (except for
> Tomes down under compass)

Why would the moss face north on the other side of the equator? Moss grows
on the side of the tree away from the drying effect of sunlight. Moss has
no compass; moss reacts to the wetter environment away from sunlight. Down
there it is the south side. I did a little searching for you:

http://members3.clubphoto.com/denise240731/1027830/guest_ico ns.phtml
- look at the picture of moss growing on the south side. It is in the right
hand column, 9th one down.

At least I found something.... <grin>.
Tomes