Moss

Did someone say to put salt on it?

I have a fine crop of moss in a holey rubber doormat (an external one of course) and it looks rather pretty though not much good for wiping feet on. In New Zealand's Fiordland, on our way to Doubtful Sound, the bus driver stopped to show us a 'moss garden' - not a cultivated garden, but a place where many different mosses, all textures and colours, grew in close proximity and they were lovely. That is one of the wettest areas on earth! The Japanese have a good line in moss gardens, so maybe, Barrow, you should just cultivate it instead of getting rid of it.

Have a similar problem on my garden walls, paths etc.

Have tried loads of things, spraying with chemicals, pressure washing and brushing with a metal patio brush. Nothing seems to work for more than a few weeks.

Am waiting with bated breath hoping someone knows the answer!!

Caro

The most straightforward way to get rid of it on a drive is to scrape it off with a spade or hoe. Then brush with a stiff brush. It can go on the compost heap.

But it's not easy; it's hard work! So I think this is only half an answer.

I remember Garderes' World recommending pouring boiling water repeatedly, they suggested each time you boil the kettle for a cuppa, pour the rest on to the moss. It may take a little while, but works in the end without recourse to chemicals.

Bags Did I mention that I am incredibly lazy! If no-one can come up with an easier method I may start scrapping and hope my very kind neighbour will take pity on me and take over

gracesmum I have a very long steep drive so don't think a kettle of boiling water would do the trick - the moss is almost the whole length of the drive

I've got loads of moss this year, too. It's handy for dressing the tops of large tubs and pots with bulbs in, and usually I can find just enough for my needs, but this year it's prolific.

I like that idea, graces. You could sprinkle salt on it too. That does work, as we discovered when we were iced in one year and kept putting salt on the path from the back door, which had been quite mossy.

I like moss. Fortunately as my bottom lawn is 90% moss!

As I said my drive is quite steep and if I just leave the moss and let it spread I think that in the wet weather it could be slippery and dangerous

Ours is the same, barrow – steep, usually damp, and very slippery if mossy. Otherwise I'd leave it. We leave it everywhere esle in the garden. We're not short of moss here and it looks nice.

You could always adopt the Nature Garden approach, which is very useful for weedy bits. I believe moss is a good habitat for all sorts of small things which are useful in the garden and so you could say you're leaving it for that reason. Stand proudly on he moral high ground (but if you come down on a wet day, try not to slip on the moss).

Hi there
If it is not going to cause a dangerous slippery surface, leave the moss in peace.
If it is, how about scattering either rock salt over it next time it's a bit icy, and deal with both problems
or you can actually buy moss killer for lawns and chuck some of that over it. (In the toxins section in B and Q or garden centre. Don't buy ordinary weedkiller !)
Wonderful moss and ferns in the wetter bits of NZ. Sigh.

I 'power-hosed' the slippery bits away, more like a slimy coating than moss, and I was afraid of being sued by the postman.
Great fun, water-play!
An extravagent use of water, I know, but it is natural and usually only needs doing once a year.