Moss - hint of a bigger problem

Once more, we are at the tail end of winter, almost upon the cusp of spring. It’s when gardeners begin to chomp at the bit, ready for another fruitful year. Stores are full of a variety of seeds, garden tools, fertilizers, and products, some of which claim to miraculously remove moss from lawns for good.

Is that possible?! Here in Washington, with winter temperatures postponing new grass growth, moss can seem an indomitable force within our environments and lawns. Come spring, many have moss on their mind, avid about its removal. But before you take a trip to the store for that miracle moss-be-gone, remember: moss tends to hint at deeper-rooted problems in your lawn that a single product cannot remedy. Knowing the determining factors of who-what-when-where-and-why moss has chosen your location is a powerful tool, one that can help dictate the most useful course of action.

Survey the location and make observations. A great first question to ask is how much sunlight does the area receive on a daily basis. Is it overshadowed by towering trees, or shaded by your neighbor’s house? Despite the fact that some mosses can survive in full sun, the vast majority thrive in more shaded areas. Likewise, most grasses need a certain amount of sunlight to thrive, and without it, can be easily outgrown.

Does the site have  good infiltration? Areas that tend to hold moisture encourage moss since it requires water to germinate and spread. Turf grasses, however, are not as well adapted. Grass waterlogged for too long will suffer from root rot. Poor drainage is caused by many different factors: compacted soil, a natural slope or dip in the land causing water to accumulate, or accidental over-watering.

Get a soil test. Moss isn’t picky, being quite comfortable growing atop nutrient-poor, acidic soil, which causes the deterioration of turf. A soil test can reveal details about soil pH and nutrient deficiencies, allowing a more targeted approach. Some soil tests even offer amendment suggestions. Contact Snohomish County Master Gardeners for more information about soil tests.

What to do next? Steps can be made to make your location less suitable for moss, and more suitable for turf: trees can be trimmed to allow in more daily light, the soil can be amended to be more grass-friendly. Select grass seed more suited for the area; sun-and-shade mixes, for example, will produce a turf more tolerant of your less-than-sunny patches of lawn. Moss must be manually extracted after moss killer is applied. 

Sometimes things cannot be so easily remedied. You can’t remove your neighbor’s house that shades part of your yard, or perhaps the problem area is at the base of a slope where rain collects. What then? Some areas just aren't suited for turf — and that’s okay! If your plot cannot be amended to be turf-friendly, there are many options available that aren’t moss. Gaining popularity are ground covers well-suited for spaces where grass struggles to take hold. Another option worth looking into is installing a rain garden — an option that supports native species and absorbs hard surface runoff. Everett has a rebate program for homeowners. everettwa.gov/raingardens

Article by Jill Oberg, Snohomish County Master Gardener

Dog waste and Earth Day

Love heading outdoors when the weather gets nicer, especially with your furry friends? Our chocolate lab loves to get out and explore local gardens, parks, neighborhoods and natural areas with us.

Earth Day is April 22. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth,” with a focus on restoring environmental damage around the globe. Puget Sound is one area suffering from pollution in the form of harmful bacteria, E. coli. These bacteria contaminate shellfish and spread sickness to humans and animals, and levels are currently high. And sadly, our furry friends are partly to blame. These bacteria mostly originate from human and animal waste that wash directly to the Puget Sound via stormwater runoff when it rains. This runoff originates from lawns, fields, pavement and parks - really from almost everywhere it rains and flows untreated down street drains directly to local waterways. On top of polluting our water, fresh droppings contain germs and parasites immediately harmful to people and dogs, particularly children and puppies. Aged feces contaminate soil with parasite eggs and other harmful organisms that can remain for years. 

Wildlife also contributes waste to our environment, but at rates that nature can adequately handle. It’s in densely populated areas where this becomes a bigger problem. Snohomish County’s estimated 177,000 dogs generate well over 100,000 tons of pet waste annually, far more than the natural environment can handle. Hence, it is our responsibility.

How can I make a difference?

• Prevent your dog from pooping near water, storm drains, or ditches.
• Pick up after your dog, wherever it defecates, take the bag and place it in a trash can, every time.
• Be a hero! Consider picking up pet waste left by others.

These small steps can make big improvements in water quality. If you already handle your dog’s waste responsibly, thank you. Keep it up! Every little bit you do multiplies, making an impact on global Earth Day efforts.

Article by Sherry Lawrence, Snohomish County Master Gardener

Forest bathing - the newest trend

Shrinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the hottest nature trend that states taking a contemplative stroll in the woods can improve your health. As highlighted in a 2019 Seattle Times article, “Recent studies indicate that Shinrin-yoku can significantly reduce blood pressure and stress hormones, even after you leave the forest. Others indicate that forest bathing allows you to absorb airborne oils emitted from conifer trees, known as phytoncides, and that these oils can be beneficial to your immune system.” Read the full Seattle Times article. 

Looking for a local forest? Check out South Everett Forest Preserve, Forest Park or Johnston Kelly Park in Everett.