I’m a pro gardener – moss isn’t killing your grass like you think, but my TLC tips will ensure it never comes back

MOSS is like the soft, green carpet of the plant world - but it can be a nightmare for green-fingered Brits trying to grow a new lawn.  

It's a tiny, non-flowering plant that thrives in the damp, shady areas of our garden that we typically want grass to grow. 

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As a result of this, moss has earned a reputation as a grass killer - but a gardening expert has revealed this isn’t the case. 

Steve Bender, who goes by the Grumpy Gardener online, set the record straight on moss. 

Taking to his podcast Ask Grumpy, he also revealed how you can look after your lawn to ensure grass grows instead of moss. 

“When you say that the moss is killing your grass, it’s not exactly true,” he explained. 

“What is happening is that your grass is dying and the moss is opportunistic and just filling in the gaps. 

“So, what you have to do is figure out why your grass is dying.” 

Steve shared that grass dies when it has too much shade, stating that “there’s no grass that’s gonna grow in shade”. 

“Moss will grow in shade,” he shared. 

“Typically, if you’ve been there a while, the trees have gotten bigger and the branches have spread more.

“You’re gonna get more patches of shade on your lawn and your lawn is going to thin out. 

“In those thin places, you can either get weeds or you can get moss. 

“So, make sure that you’re getting plenty of sun on your lawn.” 

The sun plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis, which is how plants like grass grow. 

It provides the energy that our greenery needs to produce glucose and oxygen, which are elements essential for plant growth and survival.

Steve also urged gardening fans to fertilise their grass twice a year - once in spring and once in autumn.

“Grass makes most of its growth in cool weather,” he said. 

“And even though they might not be growing leaves above ground, they’re going to be growing roots underground. 

What is happening is that your grass is dying and the moss is opportunistic and just filling in the gaps

Steve Bender, the Grumpy Gardener

“When you have a nice root system, it tends to fill in all those gaps.”

Moss may be small, but it plays a big role in your garden's ecosystem - so you don’t want to kill it off totally. 

Unlike most plants, it doesn't have roots, stems, or flowers. 

Instead, it consists of tiny leaf-like structures that soak up moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.

It helps retain moisture in the soil, preventing erosion and creating a cosy habitat for beneficial insects like beetles and spiders. 

Plus, its spongy texture provides a comfy cushion for tiny critters to rest and hide.