Hi there! I have a north-facing lawn that's heavily shaded and has developed quite a bit of moss over the years. I've removed some trees and bushes that contributed to the shade, but I know it will always be damp and shaded. I'm located on the North East coast, and the soil is pretty soft and wet. I've tried scarifying the lawn, which has helped bring up some of the topsoil, and now I'm hoping to reseed and manage the moss problem. I would love your advice on a few things: 1) Should I mix in sand or grit to improve drainage? 2) Is it a good idea to apply moss killer? 3) Any suggestions for lawn seed that works well, and when is the best time to seed? I'm also planning for it to be heavily used by my two kids during the summer, so I want to make sure it gets strong!
3 Answers
You definitely want to ensure the water drains well away from the surface. Instead of traditional spiking, consider renting a hollow tine aerator. It removes soil cores that can be raked up, then you can mix in horticultural sand to improve drainage. Don’t forget to look for shade-tolerant grass seed to give your lawn a fighting chance against that moss!
To help your lawn, improving drainage is crucial. I've experienced similar issues, and I found that using a garden fork to spike the ground every 4 inches and then backfilling it with horticultural sand makes a difference. It increases the soil's surface area for water absorption. You can also dress it with a mix of sand and seed. Look for grass seed mixes designed for shaded areas; they might take longer to establish but are more resilient. For moss control, applying lawn sand and reseeding in the autumn is recommended.
I totally understand what you're going through! I tried everything to grow grass in my shaded lawn, but it was a constant battle. In the end, I decided to stop fighting the moss and accept it. It's green and soft, and I realized it can actually be beneficial for nature. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, maybe think about embracing the moss a bit instead!