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Moss overtaking lawns is down to one common mistake gardeners make

Moss overtaking lawns is down to one common mistake gardeners make

Daily Mirror18-05-2025

Many Brits are currently getting their gardens summer-ready but one expert has warned that a common garden mistake could be encouraging moss to take over your lawn
If you're battling a garden full of slippery moss, your efforts to fix the problem might be backfiring.
Green-fingered Brits are already hard at work sprucing up their gardens in anticipation of summer. It's the perfect time to pressure wash those patio slabs, give the grass a trim, and relax with a beer as your flowers begin to flourish.

With the sun peeking through more frequently, many are diligently watering their lawns to prevent them from parching. Yet, a gardening guru has sounded the alarm over a widespread blunder that could be inviting moss to overrun your green space.

Chris Mcllroy from The Grass People points out that moss thrives in damp, shadowy spots and can signal inadequate drainage – hardly surprising after typically messy winter weather and spring showers. "Moss loves moisture, so water your lawn with care and avoid flooding the lawn," Chris advises.
"Avoid watering your lawn at night as it is cooler, and the moisture may sit on the soil. If your lawn is naturally moist, you should regularly aerate it."
For those who've been cautious with their watering but still find themselves with a lawn besieged by moss, there's no need to fret. Garden buffs are buzzing about a 'brilliant' trick that promises to banish the troublesome moss without the need for laborious raking.
A member of the Gardening UK Facebook group sought advice for eradicating moss from their lawn, and one particular recommendation stood out. "Richard Jacksons do one that is brilliant," a fellow green-fingered enthusiast suggested.
"Quickly after I used it the moss disappeared from my lawn." Another chimed in with praise: "I used Richard Jacksons moss killer. It's great and does the job with no need to rake."
The acclaimed Richard Jackson Flower Power Moss Remover and Lawn Feeder is available for £24.99 on Amazon. While not cheap, a single 5kg bag has enough strength to treat around 100 square metres of turf.
This much-lauded product attacks moss by 'overfeeding' it, leading to its death and transformation to black within 20 days. But what sets it apart from other moss killers is a specialised bacteria that digests the dead moss as grass growth ensues, doing away with the chore of raking.

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