How much lime should I apply to my lawn to keep the moss out??

Question

Can I live in the Seattle area and the moss is bad. Can I apply to much??

Answer 1

What does your soil test say? Too much lime can cause problem, too little will have marginal effects on the moss.

What is your soil type? You apply more if you soil is a clay type versus a sand type.

Also what are you using?? I'm assuming ground ag limestone, not liquids. And then is it dolomitic or calcitic lime? If you lawn is magnesium deficient use dolomitic.

Also what about limestone purity? You'll have to adjust your application based on the % purity.

Then again......is it coarse or fine ground? Fine is fast for a quick action, coarse is better for maintaining pH.

In addition to getting soil pH reading right through lime (if it is actually needed) , soil and plant management are even more critical. Moss grows on compacted, wet soils (and roofs and sidewalks). So first is to get air under the moss through better soil management. Aerating the lawn with a power aerator will get oxygen under the moss. Do this at least twice a year. If your lawn also has a thick thatch layer, that prevents oxygen from getting under and retards drainage, so dethatch the lawn!

Mow correctly. Don't let the grass get too long before mowings, no more than 7 days between mowing, 5 would be better in the spring and fall.

Are your summer's dry? Irrigate appropriately to keep a healthy lawn. Also fertilize at the correct time and don't over or under fertilize.

Contact your county agent to learn about soil tests and how to use them to figure the correct amount of lime to add based on your soil pH and clay/sand content.