Hello, Curt.

Thank you for including so much information about the moss in your landscape and how you have attempted to manage it. It sounds like your goal is to eliminate the moss from your yard in favor of turf grass. 

You noted the proximity to a woodsy are. Along with the shade and moisture, the conditions for moss growth are ideal. Moss is an incredible plant without a root system that absorbs the nutrients it needs for growth and survival through osmosis (cell to cell). It thrives in wet areas and "likes" cool, wet springs, which Minnesota has experienced quite often in the past several years.

You could consider pruning trees near the moss growth and clearing some of the brush in the area as a way to increase the available sunlight and to promote turf growth. You mentioned using an iron sulfate product to eliminate the moss, and indicated you have had mixed results. Checking the soil analysis you had done for your property for the pH of your soil might yield good information; low pH is a possible reason moss may thrive. Aim for a pH of 6.5 and add fertilizer to maintain the recommended levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Because moss is so resilient, you could also consider mechanical removal with a rough wire rake. Then you could attempt to grow turf grass that flourishes in shadier area. See this University of Minnesota resource for Turf Grass growth: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care. All of that said, most of the information I've read indicates that finding the root problem and reducing the number of natural factors that moss need to survive is necessary. 

I found this article from the University of Connecticut's Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory that might give you additional guidance: https://soiltesting-cahnr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3514/2023/05/Moss-Control.pdf

I hope some of this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Julie

Ask Extension Volunteer

Hello, Curt.

Thank you for including so much information about the moss in your landscape and how you have attempted to manage it. It sounds like your goal is to eliminate the moss from your yard in favor of turf grass.

You noted the proximity to a woodsy are. Along with the shade and moisture, the conditions for moss growth are ideal. Moss is an incredible plant without a root system that absorbs the nutrients it needs for growth and survival through osmosis (cell to cell). It thrives in wet areas and "likes" cool, wet springs, which Minnesota has experienced quite often in the past several years.

You could consider pruning trees near the moss growth and clearing some of the brush in the area as a way to increase the available sunlight and to promote turf growth. You mentioned using an iron sulfate product to eliminate the moss, and indicated you have had mixed results. Checking the soil analysis you had done for your property for the pH of your soil might yield good information; low pH is a possible reason moss may thrive. Aim for a pH of 6.5 and add fertilizer to maintain the recommended levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Because moss is so resilient, you could also consider mechanical removal with a rough wire rake. Then you could attempt to grow turf grass that flourishes in shadier area. See this University of Minnesota resource for Turf Grass growth: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care. All of that said, most of the information I've read indicates that finding the root problem and reducing the number of natural factors that moss need to survive is necessary.

I found this article from the University of Connecticut's Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory that might give you additional guidance: https://soiltesting-cahnr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3514/2023/05/Moss-Control.pdf

I hope some of this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Julie

Ask Extension Volunteer