Steps to Kill Lawn Moss and Other Spring Rebuilding Projects

Moss in lawns--an all-too-familiar battle!

Recently, I overheard someone say that in gardening, “every year is a rebuilding year.” Not that our gardening endeavors each year are for naught, but as spring rolls around and we begin a new season of gardening, it’s time to start fresh with yard care, discover new plants for the garden and take steps to keep your landscape thriving. As you begin the process of “rebuilding” this spring, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

First, in the process of “rebuilding” your lawn, there is one major task to tackle right now: eradicating moss. Remember the three steps to success: 1) Kill existing moss; 2) Discourage moss re-growth; and 3) Feed grass to build strong turf. Killing moss is easy with the right product, so pick up a bag of ferrous sulfate at Vander Giessen Nursery and wipe it out in one application.

To discourage moss re-growth, follow up in a week or two with Lilly Miller Super Sweet. Then, later this month, apply Scotts Turf Builder with Moss Control to feed your grass. The moss killer in this fertilizer is mediocre compared to ferrous sulfate, but the fertilizer itself is a good blend for feeding lawns without forcing too much growth. Consider it a good fertilizer for people who don’t like to mow! 

Second, it’s time to begin the process of “rebuilding” in your flower beds. Unlike the last few years, we’ve had a fair amount of sub-freezing weather this winter. That’s great for killing insects and keeping plants dormant through winter, but if you have—or rather, had—tender plants in your yard, it might be time to tear them out and replace them with something hardier. 

For gardeners who only shop for plants later in the spring, there’s a shade-loving garden beauty they might miss out on entirely. It blooms in winter, boasts thick, evergreen leaves and is tough as nails when it comes to winter weather. Hellebores, once a boring and unappreciated plant species, have recently experienced a renaissance with some impressive plant breeding. 

Hellebores come in many great colors and textures!

Just five years ago, most hellebores either had leggy foliage, unimpressive flower colors or blossoms that drooped so low they were almost unnoticeable. Thanks to hard-working plant breeders, however, many of today’s hellebores come in more defined colors, have fuller foliage and hold more upright blossoms. Additionally, many bloom more prolifically than older strains, adding great color to your yard in an otherwise drab time of year. 

As to cold weather, hellebores can withstand anything we get in our part of the world. Many varieties are hardy to as low as -30F, so if you’re concerned about a hellebore freezing during a northeaster, fear not! 

Today, there are dozens of options to choose from in hellebores. Three  of my favorites are ‘Ivory Prince,’ a heavy bloomer with upright, cream-colored flowers, ‘Frilly Kitty,’ with ruffled, double  blossoms in soft pink, and ‘Snow Fever,’ an impressive new introduction last year that’s the first hellebore with speckled green and white leaves. 

Finally, take some time this month to “rebuild” existing plants in your yard by pruning. Whether cold temperatures burned the tips of branches or our recent freezing rain brought down whole limbs, ensure that you keep your trees and shrubs healthy by cleaning up dead wood. Particularly on plants that suffered broken branches, prune or saw off the jagged remnants to create a clean break; this will allow the plant the best chance to recover in the coming year. 

As we get underway with another year of gardening, enjoy the beauty this season has to offer and relish the opportunity to start anew in the garden.