Moss is commonly found in many lawns around the St. Louis area. There are 50 different types of moss that pop-up in lawns, mainly in moist, shady areas. Moss looks like a fuzzy green blanket sitting on top of the ground, where one expects to see grass.

There are a few reasons you might see moss where you hoped grass would be growing. If your lawn does not receive enough air circulation, then water is unable to evaporate from the ground. This keeps your lawn moist, encouraging the growth of moss. Poor drainage can also keep the ground wet and drown the roots of grass that would normally grow in the ground. Moss often appears in shady areas, where there is not enough sunlight. A lack of nutrients in the soil or sunlight will make it challenging for grass to grow.

The good news is that moss is not harmful. However, it may not be the look you prefer for your landscape. There are ways to control moss and create a more attractive lawn.