Lawns will grow greener and be free of moss if fed one item this month

Lawns require considerable attention following the summer months to prevent them from becoming parched, yet gardeners must also be vigilant about moisture accumulating in the grass as this could encourage moss growth. Moss presents a spongy threat that can only thrive in damp conditions, and starts developing when the weather turns cooler and wetter.

Not only does it create a slippery hazard in gardens, but it also saps vital nutrients from the grass, potentially causing lawns to become sparse and struggle significantly when winter arrives. Nevertheless, Kate Treen, a specialist from Agrigem, reveals that preventing moss and achieving a healthier lawn is surprisingly straightforward - you simply need to provide the grass with a small amount of iron.

She explained: "Iron is a great moss killer for lawns because it lowers the pH of soil to the point where moss is unable to grow and draws out the moisture so mosses dry, turn black, and die. It also feeds the grass to encourage healthy green growth."

Iron sulphate stands out as one of the most effective methods for eliminating moss on lawns, as it serves as a micronutrient capable of destroying spores whilst simultaneously dehydrating and suffocating the moss so it perishes rapidly with minimal intervention, reports the Express.

Whilst iron proves lethal to moss, it remains completely safe for lawns and actually enhances the grass by functioning as a gentle fertiliser, given its crucial role in chlorophyll production, which enables grass to generate energy.

Iron will help fortify the grass blades and root system to help it withstand the approaching colder conditions, and will enhance its resistance to fungal infections. However, one of the top reasons to use iron on your grass is that chlorophyll, which gives grass its colour, will turn a lawn a deeper and richer green, making it look stunning this autumn.

How to use iron to kill moss and improve a lawn

Firstly, you need to find the right moss product for you. Kate highly recommends MossTop, Ferro-Gem Liquid Iron, High-Fe or Feed, Weed and Moss Killer.

Ensure to choose a dry day with no rain forecasted, otherwise the moss treatment could be washed off the grass. Then all you need to do is follow the instructions on the product for application.

The moss should perish within a few hours after using iron. Then all you need to do is rake the dead foliage.

Be cautious when raking not to damage the grass as any bare patches will make your lawn more susceptible to weeds in autumn.

Your lawn should appear much greener and be moss-free within one day. However, it should be noted that moss can only grow in an area with lots of moisture, so if your lawn is mossy, it may not be draining properly.

If you want to prevent moss from returning, then you will likely need to aerate and scarify the grass at some point soon as it is very common for soil to become compact after summer.