When should I stop mowing the lawn?

[RSoles]

My issue is how to stop the moss encroaching in the wet dark corner of the garden. I raked it out in spring and there was no lawn left after. Sowed new seed and it did well but I see the moss is starting to come back already.

Sharp sand and something like this :-
Handy Hollow Tine Aerator on Sale | Fast Delivery | Greenfingers.com

If it's too shady something like this:-
Husqvarna 236 Petrol Chainsaw | Husqvarna Chainsaws | World of Power

[SueEllen]

Sharp sand and something like this :-
Handy Hollow Tine Aerator on Sale | Fast Delivery | Greenfingers.com

If it's too shady something like this:-
Husqvarna 236 Petrol Chainsaw | Husqvarna Chainsaws | World of Power

I think the second option is better as you only have to do the hard work once....

[xoggoth]

I don't know why people want to get rid of moss. My last contract I rented a place where the lawn was at least 50% moss and it looked great. Felt nice and bouncy too, like a thick carpet.

[Contreras]

My issue is how to stop the moss encroaching in the wet dark corner of the garden. I raked it out in spring and there was no lawn left after. Sowed new seed and it did well but I see the moss is starting to come back already.

Ferrous Sulphate. Super stuff. A bit like crystal meth except you dissolve it in a watering can. It's the 'weed' in branded 'weed & feed' products, except the stuff on Ebay/Amazon is >95% pure, vs. <10% active ingredient for the branded products. This should keep you going for a while, depending on the size of the 'lawn'.

[d000hg]

Feed 'n' weed during the growing season. Multitasking y'see...

For those that survive the first round (or two) of F&W, then take them on individually with a spot weedkiller.

Our lawn seems to be heaven for Dandelions. It's only 5x5m or so but in a week it can go from pristeen to having dozens of the things in full leaf! F&W kills them for a couple of weeks then they come back, and F&W generally has warnings "do not use more than twice a year" or something like that. For some reason we don't get a single daisy though which is rather a shame.

I've got an unpowered mower. The grass has never been healthier. Not suitable for a large lawn though, if you cut it on your own.

I have one too, it seemed daft buying a 'proper' one for such a small lawn. Quite good fun

Ferrous Sulphate. Super stuff. A bit like crystal meth except you dissolve it in a watering can. It's the 'weed' in branded 'weed & feed' products, except the stuff on Ebay/Amazon is >95% pure, vs. <10% active ingredient for the branded products. This should keep you going for a while, depending on the size of the 'lawn'.

Every F&W I've seen says to only use it during the active growing season, i.e. the time when moss isn't a problem in the first place! Normally, moss grows slower than grass so gets overwhelmed but in the cold months moss' very slow growth is still enough as the grass stops entirely. I'd be worried F&W type stuff might kill the grass during the winter months.

Sharp sand and something like this :-
Handy Hollow Tine Aerator on Sale | Fast Delivery | Greenfingers.com

If it's too shady something like this:-
Husqvarna 236 Petrol Chainsaw | Husqvarna Chainsaws | World of Power

I'd been attacking it with a fork since the lawn is so small without it making any difference I could detect. Would that actually work better or just be easier? I think cutting the lawn with a chainsaw is a bit over the top though.

[mudskipper]

Improve the drainage & seed it with grass suitable for low light?

Astroturf?

[Contreras]

Every F&W I've seen says to only use it during the active growing season, i.e. the time when moss isn't a problem in the first place! Normally, moss grows slower than grass so gets overwhelmed but in the cold months moss' very slow growth is still enough as the grass stops entirely. I'd be worried F&W type stuff might kill the grass during the winter months.

Not a problem. Ferrous Sulphate is 'F&W' without the 'F'.

AUIU, what it does is make the soil more acidic, which the moss hates but the grass likes.

[FiveTimes]

Every F&W I've seen says to only use it during the active growing season, i.e. the time when moss isn't a problem in the first place! Normally, moss grows slower than grass so gets overwhelmed but in the cold months moss' very slow growth is still enough as the grass stops entirely. I'd be worried F&W type stuff might kill the grass during the winter months.

Get a company in that will treat your lawn. I have someone come in every 10 weeks and they apply the correct treatment depending on the season.

Sometimes its a moss treatment, sometimes just a feed. During the summer when other lawns are patchy and brown. Our lawn is a vivid green and looks great

I use green thumb, so check if they are in your area.

[d000hg]

Improve the drainage & seed it with grass suitable for low light?

How does I do that? I'll look into different grass seeds if it needs any reseeding after the winter. Though the garden is south facing there is a 6' wall at the southern end which means that end doesn't really get any sun during winter months.

[d000hg]

Not a problem. Ferrous Sulphate is 'F&W' without the 'F'.

So it's the fertiliser that can do more harm if applied at the wrong time or too often?