When moss is growing on your patio stones, in your lawn, or on ornamental statues it is unsightly and potentially hazardous too. Moss that covers patio stones and walkways can quickly become slippery during rainfall. To be safe you'll need to clear it up fast to prevent slipping hazards. Plus, when moss grows on your lawn where the turf grass is thin, growth will stop and leave you with a unpleasant patch in your lawn.
However, you can get rid of moss by using a household supply that you probably already have in your pantry. Vinegar is an excellent way to address problematic moss in your backyard! Find how to kill moss with vinegar step by step.
What You'll Need
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Before you head outdoors to kill moss around your garden you will need to gather a few supplies. With these materials on hand, you'll be well on your way to success!
- Five percent white or apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Pressure washer
- Garden hose
- Scrubbing brush
- Trowel or garden shovel
- Topsoil
Step 1: Prepare Your Vinegar Spray
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The first step to getting rid of moss in your garden is to prepare your vinegar spray. You will need water, white or apple cider vinegar at a concentration of five percent, and a spray bottle to put the mixture in.
Combine one part vinegar with two parts water and fill up the spray bottle. It is usually fairly easy to find five percent vinegar in grocery stores.
Keep in mind that diluting the spray with water will reduce its strength and potentially its effectiveness. Diluted sprays are generally more effective for a small patch of moss. However, it is usually better to fill up your spray bottle with undiluted vinegar when you are tackling larger areas.
Step 2: Spray The Moss and Wait
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Take your vinegar spray bottle outside on a sunny day and soak the patch of moss. It is better to apply the mixture on a sunny day because otherwise, rain could wash away your vinegar before it can treat the moss. After application, you'll need to be patient.
Leave the vinegar on the moss anywhere from one hour to a full day. When the color of the moss changes from green to brown, the moss is dead and easier to remove. You can use a pressure washer, garden hose, or scrubbing brush to loosen the dead moss and remove it from your patio bricks.
If you are clearing moss from your lawn, use a trowel or garden shovel to dig out the dead moss. In this case, it is helpful to have additional topsoil to fill in the patch on your lawn.
Step 3: Repeat or Increase the Spray's Strength
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If your moss is still stubbornly green after 24 hours, you have two options. You can repeat a vinegar application with your current mixture daily until you see the moss turn brown. On the other hand, you can boost the strength of your spray by using five percent vinegar without diluting it with water.
Remember, the moss can eventually come back so you may need to repeat this process once or twice a year.
Lastly, if you find that the five percent vinegar is still not effective enough, you can consider a vinegar herbicide with a higher concentration.
Vinegar Herbicides
Vinegar herbicides can have concentrations of up to 25 percent. These strong concentrations are sometimes more effective; however, you will need to take extra safety precautions.
Follow instructions on the herbicide and remember to wear safety gear like goggles, long sleeves, pants, and waterproof gloves to protect yourself. Strong herbicides are also more likely to be corrosive, cause damage to plants or turf, and harm local wildlife.
To reduce safety risks for yourself, your garden, and aquatic animals it is typically best to use household-strength vinegar that is five percent, and simply repeat the application until the moss is dead.
Note: Full-strength five percent vinegar or herbicides that have an even stronger concentration can potentially discolor patio bricks. Test a small area first before expanding the application.
Why Vinegar Kills Moss
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Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are effective ways to kill moss because they contain acetic acid. When you spray vinegar on the moss the acetic acid breaks down its cell membranes. This kills the moss, turns it brown, and makes it easier to remove.
You Can Use Vinegar to Kill Weeds Too
You can also apply vinegar on broadleaf weeds like dandelions (Taraxacum offinale Weber) as a homemade weed killer. Similar to moss, it will break down the cell membranes of the dandelion's foliage killing the part of the plant that is above ground. However, if it is a large dandelion the root usually survives below the surface, and it will come back. So, to maximize your efforts you should use a weeding tool to remove the dandelion's root as well.
Note: Vinegar is so effective at killing foliage that it is important to apply your spray directly to the moss or weeds. This will help you to avoid accidentally damaging the foliage of your other plants.
Say Goodbye to Moss With a Vinegar Spray
Vinegar is an excellent way to kill pesky moss that is growing around your backyard. The acetic acid in five percent vinegar will break down the cell membranes of your moss, kill it, and make it easier to remove. To make a spray, just dilute one part vinegar with two parts water and add it to a spray bottle, apply it to the moss, and wait a day. And there you have it!
Remember, if you choose to further increase the concentration and use a vinegar herbicide you will need to wear safety gear to protect yourself.
Do you apply vinegar to the moss in your backyard to get rid of it? Share your tips and expertise in the comments below!