How Do I Get Rid Of Moss On My Pavers?
As with all gardening problems, prevention is always better than cure. 'The best thing to do is to find out why the moss is becoming established and change the prevailing conditions,' advises garden expert John Negus.
1. REMOVE MOSS AS SOON AS YOU SEE IT
As with many garden weeds, vigilant maintenance is all. Allowing moss patches to appear on a patio without tackling them ignores the fact that they will root and grow quickly, and before you know it, you have a whole-day moss-removal task on your hands.
So, as soon as you see moss appear, get outside with a stiff or wire broom to dislodge it, then dispose of it. If it's stubborn, use a sharp gardening knife along joints in pavers and under the moss to dislodge it. Doing this on a dry day, before the moss has rooted, is the best way to remove it from a patio without damaging the sand in the joints between the pavers.
2. USE A PRESSURE WASHER
Regularly cleaning your patio, or driveway for that matter, is one of the easiest ways to keep it free of moss and other weeds, and early spring is the perfect time to get on top of this cleaning task
Note the use of the word 'regularly' in that advice from Beth: if you allow debris, whether spilt compost, mulch, leaves or dust, that has been blown across the yard to gather, the moss will continue to return to your patio, grateful for somewhere to root.
3. USE A COMMERCIAL MOSS KILLER
'You can use a commercial moss killer, although these generally need repeat applications,' John Negus adds. 'Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully, as they can differ from product to product.'
4. USE LAWN SAND
Lawn Sand isn't just sand: it's one part iron sulphate, three parts ammonia sulphate and 20 parts dry sand, and it can be used to kill moss without killing grass bordering the patio. Sprinkle it on, it will kill moss on patio, and broadleaf weeds too. Once they have turned black you can simply remove them, then sweep or hose off the sand. Having a hand held brush for all the moss removal techniques we've suggested above can allow you to get into awkward corners and to apply more pressure when needed.
5. SEAL THE PAVERS
Sealing pavers won't stop moss growing on a patio but it will make its growth slower.