Keep lawns green and moss-free in October with 1 natural item

Autumn is a pivotal period for lawns to build their resilience before the icy winterweather sets in, but moss can hinder this process, leaving your grass exposed. Moss, a sponge-like plant, smothers lawnswhile also soaking up the water and sunlight it needs to stay healthy during this season.

This can cause significant harm to grass as it needs to stockpile nutrients now to have enough energy to endure the winter; otherwise, a lawn can perish or become diseased. Removing moss can be a tricky task in October as it flourishes in cold and damp conditions, but Dan, from the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, has revealed there's a straightforward method to eliminate it without damaging a lawn.

Dan said: "Iron compounds are effective moss killers and work quickly to stimulate grass growth. Sulphate of Iron comes in a handy 500 g pack. Mix it with water in a watering can, and apply. Over time, the moss will turn black and can be raked out of the lawn."

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Iron is essential for lawns to produce chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis and also gives grass its lovely green hue.

It aids in enhancing the nutrient absorption in lawns to provide it with the energy it requires in autumn without causing a growth spurt, so the grass does not become overgrown, reports the Express.

Sulphate also assists in chlorophyll production but also helps lower the pH level on a lawn, which makes it more challenging for moss to grow on it.

While iron sulphate can aid a lawn, it's toxic to moss as it extracts moisture from the plant and makes its environment more acidic, preventing regrowth.

Prevent moss from returning on lawns

Before applying the iron sulphate, check the weather forecast to ensure no rain is expected that day, otherwise the product will wash off the grass.

Mix the iron sulphate with water, following the product label instructions for precise measurements. Then, evenly spray or pour the solution on the lawn.

Within a few days, the moss should start to turn brown, wilt and die off. However, it's worth noting that moss typically indicates an unhealthy lawn as it can only thrive in a particularly damp environment.

After removing the moss, it's advised to scarify a lawn, a gardening method that removes decaying plant matter that tends to accumulate over time on top of the grass.

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This will also help with aerating the grass, which simply involves poking holes in the ground with a pitchfork to improve drainage so moisture cannot build up. This will help keep your lawn as robust and green as possible before winter arrives.