Moss is a very common plant – in fact, it was one of the first land plants to ever grow, making it around 450 million years old!
There are a lot of old wives’ tales surrounding moss, such as it will only grow on the north sides of trees, or it can be used to cure a cough.
We’re here to look at the facts of moss – what environments does moss thrive in, and what conditions does moss favour for growth? Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Where can moss grow?
Unfortunately – depending on your view of the matter – moss is a highly adaptable and durable plant, and is capable of growing in most areas and conditions. The only real requirement moss needs to grow is for the environment to have enough water to be kept suitably damp.
Moss has the capability to grow in a range of places, including gutters, walls, cracks in pavements and patios, over rocks, trees, and even in your lawn.
Moss thrives in damp and shady conditions, but one feature that distinguishes moss from other plants is that it also does well in the colder weather too.
Moss has natural anti-freeze properties that help it to thrive in the autumn and winter seasons when most plants go into hibernation. As a result of this, during these seasons there is very little competition for moss, allowing it to spread and grow.
As the temperatures drop in autumn and winter, lawn grass growth slows dramatically, and by midwinter the grass is almost dormant, hibernating until the warmer weather returns. This hibernation makes your lawn a pretty easy target for moss growth, since there is very little natural competition to challenge the moss for growth space.
There are certain steps you can take to try and prevent moss growth over winter, such as aeration to prevent waterlogging, or fertilising your lawn in autumn to strengthen your grass in preparation for winter. Even after following these steps, it’s still possible for moss to grow. Preventing moss from growing is easier than getting rid of it once it's established.
Moss can be difficult to remove, and if it’s not removed correctly the first time around, it can be pretty easy for moss to grow back again and again. When it comes to moss removal, it’s best to enlist professional services and make sure that the job is done right first time.
READ MORE: Why is Moss Bad for Lawns?
Taylor Total Weed Control offer first-class moss control services – to find out more about how our services can help you today, click the link below.
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Not sure if our moss control services are right for you? Why not take advantage of the FREE surveys offered by Taylor Total Weed Control? We’ll send one of our professional team members to come and survey your property, identify any issues, and issue a bespoke report outlining the best treatment plan for your lawn.
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Read More: Where Does Moss Come From?
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