MOSS is like the soft green carpet of the plant world – but it can be a nightmare for green-fingered Brits trying to grow a new lawn.
It’s a tiny, non-flowering plant that thrives in the damp, shady areas of our garden where we normally want grass to grow.
As a result, moss has gained a reputation as a grass killer – but a gardening expert has revealed that’s not the case.
Steve Bender, who goes by Grumpy Gardener online, set the record straight on the moss.
On his Ask Grumpy podcast, he also revealed how you can look after your lawn to ensure grass grows instead of moss.
“When you say the moss is killing the grass, it’s not exactly true,” he explained.
“What’s happening is your grass is dying and the moss is opportunistic and just filling in the gaps.
“So what you need to do is find out why your grass is dying.”
Steve shared that grass dies when there is too much shade, stating that “there is no grass that will grow in shade.”
“Moss will grow in the shade,” he shared.
“Typically, if you’ve been there a while, the trees have gotten bigger and the branches have spread out more.
“You will have more areas of shade on your lawn and your lawn will become thinner.
“In those narrow places, you can get weeds or moss.
“So make sure your lawn is getting plenty of sun.”
The sun plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis, which is how plants like grass grow.
It provides the energy that our vegetation needs to produce glucose and oxygen, essential elements for plant growth and survival.
Steve also encouraged gardening fans to fertilize their grass twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall.
“Grass does most of its growth in cool climates,” he said.
“And even if they don’t produce leaves above ground, they will grow roots underground.
What’s happening is your grass is dying and the moss is opportunistic and just filling in the gaps
Steve Bender, the Grumpy Gardener
“When you have a good root system, it tends to fill in all those gaps.”
Moss may be small, but it plays an important role in your garden’s ecosystem—so you don’t want to kill it entirely.
Unlike most plants, it does not have roots, stems or flowers.
Instead, it consists of small leaf-like structures that absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.
It helps retain soil moisture, preventing erosion and creating a cozy habitat for beneficial insects like beetles and spiders.
Additionally, its spongy texture provides a comfortable cushion for small creatures to rest and hide.
Expert gardening advice
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
