How do you get rid of moss in the lawn?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB5 min read
Short answer
How do you get rid of moss in the lawn?
Moss in the lawn is dealt with by scarifying or raking out the existing moss, liming the soil if it is acidic, and improving drainage and light so the grass can outcompete the moss again. The best results come from fixing the cause, often shade, compacted soil or damp, while scarifying in spring or autumn and then overseeding with grass seed. A one-off effort is rarely enough; the moss comes back unless the underlying problem with soil, light and moisture is solved.
Would you rather have it done for you? Read about garden cleanup in Stockholm – what is included, what affects the price and how to book.
Why does the lawn get moss?
Moss thrives where grass struggles to grow, and the most common causes in the Stockholm area are shade, compacted or acidic soil, poor drainage and grass cut too short or too long. The clay soils common in Stockholm hold water and easily turn acidic, which favours moss over grass.
If the moss spreads in the same places every year, it is a clear sign that the ground needs improving, not just that the moss needs removing once.
- Shade from trees, walls or buildings
- Compacted soil after heavy foot or vehicle traffic
- Poor drainage and standing water after rain
- Acidic soil with a low pH
- Grass cut too short, which weakens the root system
- Nutrient deficiency, often lack of nitrogen
How do you scarify the moss out?
Scarifying or moss raking tears up the moss and the thatch of old grass and organic material that builds up in the surface of the lawn. This is best done in April to May or in September, when the grass is growing actively and can recover.
After scarifying, a lot of loose material lies on the surface and must be cleared away before moving on to soil improvement and reseeding.
- Mow the grass short before scarifying
- Run the scarifier in two directions across the lawn
- Rake off all loose material and moss
- Check that no bare patches have become too large
- Water lightly if the soil is very dry before the next step
Does the lawn need liming?
Liming raises the pH of the soil and makes it less favourable to moss, which thrives best in acidic conditions. In Stockholm, with its often clayey and acidic soil, liming is an effective measure, but it should be based on a soil test rather than guesswork.
Garden lime is spread evenly over the lawn in autumn or early spring and watered in. The effect only shows after a season or two, since changing the pH of the soil takes time.
- Take a soil test to see whether the pH really is low
- Spread lime evenly, uneven spreading gives a patchy result
- Water the lime in after spreading
- Repeat every second or third year if needed
- Combine with fertilising to strengthen the growth of the grass
How do you improve light and drainage?
Moss rarely disappears for good unless the cause of damp and shade is dealt with. Thinning branches on trees that shade the lawn and improving drainage are therefore just as important as the moss removal itself.
On areas with standing water it helps to aerate the soil with a garden fork or an aerating machine, and to mix sand or compost into the top layer to make the soil more permeable.
- Prune branches that shade the lawn for more light
- Aerate the soil with a fork or machine on heavily compacted areas
- Mix sand into very clayey areas
- Make sure water can drain away and does not collect in hollows
- Avoid cutting the grass shorter than 4–5 cm
How do you sow grass seed after removing moss?
Once the moss is removed and the soil improved, the bare patches need reseeding, otherwise the moss quickly takes the space back. The best time for overseeding in Stockholm is April to June or August to September, when the soil temperature is around 10–15 degrees.
Mix grass seed with a little topsoil or seed compost, spread evenly and keep the surface moist until the grass has established, which normally takes two to three weeks.
- Lightly rake the soil surface before sowing
- Mix the seed with topsoil for better contact with the ground
- Spread evenly over the bare areas
- Water daily until the grass is 5 cm tall
- Avoid heavy loads on the area for the first few weeks
How does Service Plus help with moss in the lawn?
Service Plus Stockholm AB assesses the condition of the lawn on site, including a soil test, light conditions and drainage, before proposing a solution. The price depends on the size of the lawn, how extensive the moss is and whether soil improvement or reseeding is needed, and Service Plus always provides a free quote with a clear price before work begins.
Mulle, the Service Plus lawn mowing specialist, helps with scarifying, liming and overseeding so the lawn gets better conditions to outcompete the moss over time.
Common follow-up questions
Can you remove moss without digging up the whole lawn?
Yes, scarifying or moss raking is enough in most cases; only with very heavy moss growth or poor soil does a completely new lawn become necessary.
Does it help to just rake the moss off?
Raking removes what is visible on the surface but does not solve the cause, so the moss comes back unless the soil, light and drainage are improved at the same time.
Is moss harmful to the lawn?
Moss competes with the grass for light, water and space, which makes the lawn thinner and more uneven over time, but it is not poisonous or harmful to people or animals.
Does the RUT deduction apply to moss removal in the lawn?
The labour cost of garden maintenance such as scarifying and lawn care can qualify for the RUT deduction, but materials such as lime and grass seed and any waste removal are not covered.
