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How do I get Rid of Lawn Mold?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

In the majority of cases, you can get rid of lawn mold by draining water away from the area and allowing sunlight to dry it out. Many times the mold will go away on its own if given enough time, although in areas where there is heavy rainfall this may not occur. Occasionally a fungicide may be necessary if keeping the affected area dry doesn’t work.

Mold thrives on moisture, so keeping any area with heavy mold growth dry will effectively kill the mold. If your area has heavy rainfall, you should dig a canal to lead water away from your lawn. Make sure the grass is well cut so that as much lawn mold is removed as possible. You may want to wear a facial mask while cutting the grass to ensure that you don’t breathe mold spores which become airborne.

Man mowing the grass
Man mowing the grass

The sun will generally dry the grass and kill lawn mold over time, but if this doesn’t work, there are commercial fungicides which are generally very effective. Be sure to give it time, since adding any commercial products can be potentially harmful to the environment and it is often not necessary. Additionally, if you aren’t able to remove some of the moisture, lawn mold is likely to return.

Do not add chemicals to your lawn unless they are specifically made for that purpose. Although cleaners like bleach will kill lawn mold, they can cause serious problems for the environment, such as water contamination. You should also be sure to make sure that no part of your yard floods regularly because mold can easily spread from one area to another.

You will be able to tell when lawn mold has been alleviated because it generally has a dark color. Up close, it is sometimes slimy in nature. It sometimes forms a circular formation in various areas your lawn. When you stop noticing these areas, it generally means that mold is gone. You should continue monitoring your grass and keeping it well cut to ensure that mold doesn’t return. This is especially important during rainy seasons.

If you cannot get rid of the lawn mold on your own, you may need to call in a professional. Landscapers may have the right equipment to kill or remove mold from your grass, although they are generally pricier than trying to do it yourself. In severe cases, you may be able to have the offending area removed and plant new grass or cover it with sod.

Discussion Comments

Feryll

Keep your grass tall. Taller grass is healthier and better able to fight off disease. When a lawn is battling mold you don't want to cut it close to the ground. In fact, as a rule, you should never cut away more than a third of the lawn's height when mowing.

mobilian33
Mold spreads. Once you realize your lawn is infected and you start treatment, avoid spreading the mold via your shoes and garden tools. Be sure to clean any items that come in contact with the mold- affected grass before using them on healthy areas of your lawn.
Sporkasia

Weak grass or grass lacking in nutrients is more susceptible to mold and other disease. Feeding a lawn with fertilizer can help it fight off disease and recover. Of course, a lawn can get too much fertilizer, so reading directions pertaining to when and how much fertilizer to use is important.

Drentel

The most effective treatment for lawn mold is preventive care. One of the biggest reasons I see for mold in yards is over watering of lawns. This is easy to do when you depend on a sprinkler to water your grass and you neglect to keep a close watch on how much water is being dispersed.

Make sure the soil in your yard is absorbing all the water before it has a chance to form pools. Standing bodies of water are perfect breeding grounds for the mold.

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    • Man mowing the grass
      Man mowing the grass