moss in gardens

[audrey]

I have a lot of moss growing in my flower beds this spring. When is the best time to put lime on (if that's what I do) and do I just spread it or dig it in? I want to get an early start on it if possible.

[roxannet]

Hi Audrey,
You can put lime on lawns and flower beds anytime. I usually work it into the soil in my flower beds a few times a year. I avoid giving lime to acidic loving plants such as rhododendrons, azeleas, heaths and heathers, etc. Lime takes a while to work so what you put down now will start working a few months from now.
Roxanne

[audrey]

Thanks Roxanne, I must get out to the garden center soon, and get started. I guess it would be a good idea to rake the moss out first, huh?

[Eeyore]

Moss is quite easy to pull up so yes, I would pull or rake up what you can first and then put the lime down. I had no idea that lime killed moss......

[roxannet]

I don't think lime actually kills moss but what it does is neutralizes the soil so it becomes more alkaline therefore preventing moss from growing back. Moss likes to grow in acidic soil.
Roxanne