"Neil Jones" wrote in message
...

"Blair" wrote in message
...

"Neil Jones" wrote in message
...

"Blair" wrote in message
...
I intend using lawn sand to kill the moss on my lawn and wondered
what
the
best time was for spreading it? Spring or Autumn?


If you really must use this, then spring would be best.

If you use it now it will kill the moss, but then the bald patches
will
just encourage more moss to colonise your lawn and in 6 months time
you
could be back where your started.

If you wait til late spring the grass will be growing strongly and
if
you regularly cut your lawn you will encourage the grass to move
into
the unoccupied areas. Mosses usually come off second best compared
to
healthy grass in the growing season.

However, remember that moss is a symptom of an underlying problem.
If
you do not identify and rectify this problem you will get moss back
in
your lawn.

Thank you Neil for your help.I will take your advice and spread in the
Spring.
I live in a countryside area that appears to affect everyone. The
lichen
grows really well on the trees so had assumed that the moss was a
symptom
of clean air.
My drainage is very good. What else could cause the problem?
Regards
Blair

If you have a compacted lawn, the grass may well be very shallow rooted.
In times of low rainfall (ie the summer) the grass will find it harder
to survive and can suffer significant dieback or suffer other stresses
which allow lawn weeds, including moss, to move in. If you spike your
lawn and top dress it with eg sharp sand you will relieve compaction,
allow more gas exchange, and improve the drainage. All of these will
encourage the grass to root more deeply, meaning it is more able to
survive periods of stress and leave smaller opportunities for mosses to
get a look-in.

Do you know what type of soil you have?

Neil


Very sandy soil
Thanks for the advice
Blair