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Gardening help. Moss!
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Gardening help. Moss!
Need advice from any keen gardeners please.
My front lawn is being taken over by moss. This year it's so bad there are big areas with no grass left at all. I don't really know how best to tackle it and keep it away. We also get multiple Red Ant nests in the front lawn each Spring/ Summer which look like mole hills when mowed. I have absolutely no idea how or if I can deal with these.
I am thinking of drastic action if there is no other easy solution; That is spraying the whole lot with strong weedkiller then getting tonnes of top soil and starting again.
The yellowy/ brown areas in the photo are all just moss now.
My front lawn is being taken over by moss. This year it's so bad there are big areas with no grass left at all. I don't really know how best to tackle it and keep it away. We also get multiple Red Ant nests in the front lawn each Spring/ Summer which look like mole hills when mowed. I have absolutely no idea how or if I can deal with these.
I am thinking of drastic action if there is no other easy solution; That is spraying the whole lot with strong weedkiller then getting tonnes of top soil and starting again.
The yellowy/ brown areas in the photo are all just moss now.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- Chippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2366
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
Gardening help. Moss!
I have the same problem with my lawn, I apply moss killer at least twice a year, rake all the dead moss up leaving the lawn looking terrible and then reseed, by the time the grass is getting established the moss is coming back, it just seems to be a vicious circle, I think the main problem is having a very heavy clay soil and a lot of shade from neighbouring trees, in the past I’ve even removed all the grass and re turfed but the moss is still back again to following year, it makes me sound sad but when the weathers been nice I’ve even sat picking the moss out by hand
In the past I’ve seen lawns laid on pebbles, presumably to help with drainage.
In the past I’ve seen lawns laid on pebbles, presumably to help with drainage.
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- Scubaregs
- Lifer
- Posts: 3064
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:36 am
Gardening help. Moss!
Treat your grass the same way you treat your cars mate, i.e. change it every few months.
Abstinence is fine, in moderation.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
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OnlineMikeyH
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Gardening help. Moss!
I think you need to regularly rake over the lawn to remove the moss, then with a fork make holes all over to air and help drainage. Long and boring work. Have you thought about one of those lawn firms that maintain the lawn for you.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
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OnlineMikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 5001
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Gardening help. Moss!
It looks better than ours though
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Gardening help. Moss!
Too tight for that TBH.
I don't really care but the lawnmower doesn't like cutting moss and because the lawn fronts the main road, my wife is worried 'what the neighbours will think'.
For a town centre, our front lawn is quite big and a waste of space IMO. No-one sits in their front garden (especially on a main road), there are loads of trees on the path which are all a mess, as all Council owned so they do nothing to look after them.
I may look into hiring one of those machines with the big tines to help aerate it. I ain't doing it by hand!
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- sars
- Lifer
- Posts: 7049
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
- Location: East Yorkshire
Gardening help. Moss!
Feed and weed April and September, keep at and in a few years it will improve, if after four weeks of the April treatment, you see little improvement, treat again. Looks like you have a Northish facing garden and unfortunately this is a byproduct of little sun on shorter days. For the ants nest use Nippon ant killer, soon as you see those raised earth patches sprinkle it on liberally.
Quick question do you have lots of birds picking at your lawn? If so this is a whole different and bigger problem.
Quick question do you have lots of birds picking at your lawn? If so this is a whole different and bigger problem.
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Gardening help. Moss!
Front faces due West. We do have an issue with drainage in both gardens. High water table as we are at (or below) sea level. That and it hasn't stopped raining for months!sars wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 10:24 am Feed and weed April and September, keep at and in a few years it will improve, if after four weeks of the April treatment, you see little improvement, treat again. Looks like you have a Northish facing garden and unfortunately this is a byproduct of little sun on shorter days. For the ants nest use Nippon ant killer, soon as you see those raised earth patches sprinkle it on liberally.
Quick question do you have lots of birds picking at your lawn? If so this is a whole different and bigger problem.
I will get some bulk Nippon! Cheers.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- pvr
- Legend
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- Location: South East UK
Gardening help. Moss!
And don't cut it too short as that will allow the moss to grow even more
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Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
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911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- sars
- Lifer
- Posts: 7049
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
- Location: East Yorkshire
Gardening help. Moss!
This and reduces burning in summer
The house we stayed in Nidderdale last year had the lushest of lawns, it was kept at a constant height by a robot lawnmower, just skimming the top off and allowing the mulch to decay in the lawn, no moss at all
I would have purchased one as soon as I got home but he who shall not be named wants those damned stripes
I just want an easier life
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
- TitanTim
- Lifer
- Posts: 8129
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:21 pm
Gardening help. Moss!
I used to get moss on the back lawn along with moles as we had a field next door. I tried to get rid of the moles at first using mole smokes and finding the run into the garden. It didn't really work and they returned the following year so contacted a pest controller who set traps, caught them and took them away to release them elsewhere. They never returned after that.
On the moss, like others would rake it out and re seed every year and in the end said enough and took the front and back lawns up and gravelled it all. Best thing I did, no dreary mowing and a constant battle trying to keep on top of it. The front lawn would just dry out to a crisp each summer anyways and would never really recover. It was just better getting rid of it.
We've also been getting alot of badgers and foxes lately who like to did holes so getting rid of the lawn was the best thing.
I know gravel can be boring but some choice planting of shrubs and grass plants softens it all up.
Tim.
On the moss, like others would rake it out and re seed every year and in the end said enough and took the front and back lawns up and gravelled it all. Best thing I did, no dreary mowing and a constant battle trying to keep on top of it. The front lawn would just dry out to a crisp each summer anyways and would never really recover. It was just better getting rid of it.
We've also been getting alot of badgers and foxes lately who like to did holes so getting rid of the lawn was the best thing.
I know gravel can be boring but some choice planting of shrubs and grass plants softens it all up.
Tim.
- TitanTim
- Lifer
- Posts: 8129
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:21 pm
Gardening help. Moss!
Sorry just realised you have ants not moles but have ants as well in the kitchen I use Dethlac spray which is pretty good.
Tim.
Tim.
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 15169
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Gardening help. Moss!
Artificial turf?
Some of those look pretty realistic these days.
Some of those look pretty realistic these days.
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- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Lincoln
Gardening help. Moss!
It needs doing with a hollow tine machine each year to improve the drainage plus twice a year treatment with moss killer. Then apply a good lawn feed at least twice a year. There is no short term solution. It took me three years to make our grass anything like decent and it is an ongoing battle. Good luck!
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 15169
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Gardening help. Moss!
When I was at RAF Marham back in the 80s we were expecting a visit from the Queen. They went all along the kerbs and sprayed to kill the weeds. The overspray left a perfect strip of brown grass beside the kerb. Next day all those who'd been naughty were sent out with green paint! I kid you not!