Replanting Grass

[Casino Wolf]

Hi All,

The moss has taken over most of our lawn, and so I would like to replant the grass on the entire lawn. Here's what I plan to do:

In some areas, I will lift the moss or old grass off the ground and put it back in place soil/root side up so that the green side is buried, then cover with with layer or compost/soil mix and plant grass seeds.

In other areas, I will simply cover-up the existing grass/moss with a layer of soil and plant the new grass over top.

Either way, the old moss or grass could be used as fertilizer for the new grass and will save me from the trouble of creating a new compost pile. Is there any reason not leave old grass or moss in place?

C.W.

[trader4]

A lot depends on how much topsoil you are placing over what's already there in the areas you are going to just cover up. If it's a couple of inchs, then it shoud work. If it's only a 1/2 inch, then the existing grass which may be undesirable and/or weeds, may just push up through it. When I want to seed a new lawn, I make sure to kill off anything that's there, because it's real easy. Later, if it's some nasty grass, it can be difficult or impossible to get rid of it without killing the grass you just planted.

Also, you don't say how large the area is. Trying to lift existing moss/grass and turn it over is a lot of work. If the area is of any decent size, tilling may be a better option.

Also, I would make sure to check and adjust the soil PH. Moss can be a sign of low PH.

[Stubby]

[e-mail] wrote: ....

Right. Apply some real lime from a tile shop. Pelletized limeSTONE will work in about a hundred years and is a lot less messy but that's too slow for me.

[john]

Or use the new liquid lime. Work time is 4 to 6 days

[RR]

First of all, you probably want to amend, if possible, the conditions that are causing the moss to grow in the first place. Moss favors moist, shady and often, compacted soils. You can remove it and replace it, but it will return unless you alter the growing conditions. Personally, I kinda like moss -- the way it looks, it doesn't need cutting, and it does a good job of covering bare soil. But that's just my personal opinion -- anything over the ground instead of mud spots is okay by me!

As far as leaving the moss or grass in place is that while it's decomposing it will tie up nitrogen, making it unavailable to whatever it is you're planting. Better to let the green stuff break down in the compost pile.

Suzy O, Wis., Zone 5