Raking moss from a lawn in October could be a mistake, as grass may not have enough time to repair and recover, leaving lawns open to even more moss in the months ahead, according to experts at Lawnsmith.
Why October is too late to rake moss
As temperatures drop and rainfall increases, moss can become increasingly visible on lawns, prompting gardeners to tackle it before winter. While raking might seem the simplest solution, grass growth slows considerably as temperatures decline, meaning the lawn may not recover quickly enough after moss is removed.
The Lawnsmith team said: "You're too late not to consider raking the moss out, as there may not be sufficient grass growth for the lawn to repair and recover afterwards, leaving it open to even more moss."
Removing moss can leave bare patches, and if grass fails to grow back swiftly, those exposed areas may become susceptible to moss regrowth.
How to manage lawn moss naturally
Lawn specialists recommend natural methods to manage moss, largely by keeping the area as dry as possible. In clay or compacted soils, air circulation around the roots may be restricted, causing grass to "become stressed and weak".
Hollow tining the lawn may enhance drainage and can be carried out in autumn. For larger lawns, installing drainage pipes might prove a more effective, long-term solution.
Autumn dew is a familiar sight, particularly in the mornings, but when airflow is poor, dew can persist too long and leave grass constantly saturated. While this is "wonderful for the moss", it is very unhealthy for grass, the experts noted.
The answer lies in improving airflow and breeze across lawns by thinning out dense plant borders or relocating compact furniture.
