getting rid of moss

[jpe40]

I have a small plot in the woods approximately 1/6 acre. It was neglected over the last few years. It was clover but now has been over run with moss. i applied 750lbs of lime about 2 months ago. It seems as if the moss is somewhat dying. What would be my best approach now to remove the moss debris? Should i just overseed clover into or try to give a light disking with some oats and start over in the fall. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill]

Moss is a result of shade and dampness. Home Depot has moss killer I use in my yard but it comes back because it’s alway shaded and damp.

anyway after it’s dead and turned black a good leaf blower will blow it away.

long term you may be better off opening up more canopy.

 

[TreeDaddy]

Grass Carp work well .......

Sorry,man.......wrong thread/forum

bill

 

[Bassattackr]

Moss grows with shade and moisture. As Bill said you're likely better off eliminating that combination. Open up the canopy and it will help. Bonus - Less leaves on your foodplot as well.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

I'll echo what's already been said. Simply getting rid of the moss is like throwing away your thermometer when it reads 102. You're not taking care of the underlying problem, which is too much water, and I'd suggest probably also a low pH.

You're adding lime to address the pH issue. That's good. Besides opening up the canopy you may also need some drainage work to get the water off that plot.

 

[Telemark]

After you lime, you should physically remove it. Use a harrow or a disc, or a leaf lower as was mentioned.

I healthy crop growing in the soil should keep moss at bay. So keep doing soil tests and adding lime as needed.

 

[homerj1]

I've seen moss growing on limestone. Moss will grow where it's shady and damp no matter the ph.

 

[Bassattackr]

I've seen moss growing on limestone. Moss will grow where it's shady and damp no matter the ph.

Was going to say the same, I have a shaded footplot with the ph around 6.4 and it still grows in places. Shade and moisture is the combination it likes. I need to open up the plot a bit more.

 

[Telemark]

I did not mean to suggest that moss likes low pH, or that a higher pH would discourage moss. My understanding of moss is that it doesn't care about pH, as it has no roots. The pH of the soil is important to promote healthy plant growth so that moss has less space to grow. Sunlight is, of course, also important to healthy plant growth. Many forest soils have low pH which needs to be monitored, especially where there is a lot of precipitation.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

I suggested adding lime because wet, forested soils tend to be acidic. And mosses, while they can grow in more neutral soils, do prefer acidic soils. Adding lime will only help to encourage the clover and discourage the moss.

 

[jpe40]

it definetly doesnt hold water or lay in a low spot. Ill try opening some more of the canopy up

 

[Bassattackr]

it definetly doesnt hold water or lay in a low spot. Ill try opening some more of the canopy up

I just did the same thing on a hidey hole plot I had. Sunlight will help eradicate the moss and encourage the clover more I frost seeded earlier this spring.