If mountains of moss pile up after scarifying, the question of proper disposal is obvious. Happy the home gardeners tending a compost heap in the garden. Of course, the moss must not be piled up haphazardly and left to its own devices. Read here how to professionally compost combed moss.
Moss can be disposed of on the compost heap
Hot Rotte puts an end to moss spores
If moss that has been combed out is piled up in a heap, rot and mold will form instead of the hoped-for organic fertilizer material that smells of fresh forest soil. Furthermore, the spores are preserved to spread happily in the garden. In contrast, an exemplary compost heap develops a spore-destroying, hot rot with 50-60 degrees Celsius, during which moss is also processed into valuable compost. How to properly incorporate moss into your compost pile:
- Spread moss that has been scarified from moss-covered lawns in thin layers on the compost heap
- Sprinkle with algae lime or rock flour (14.13€).
- Compost alternately with other organic materials and some garden soil
Please make sure that the bottom layer of the compost heap is in contact with the ground and consists of coarse materials such as shredded wood cuttings. This is the only way for microorganisms and worms to gain access to fulfill their important function of decomposing the materials. Moss should always be composted in a balanced ratio with uncooked kitchen waste, leaves, lawn clippings, egg shells, feathers or stable manure.
Do not compost moss contaminated with iron fertilizer
If you fight moss in the lawn with iron fertilizer, the combed out remains have no place on the compost. The ferrous sulfate contained in iron fertilizer is highly toxic. If it gets into the compost via the contaminated moss, distribute the poison to your ornamental and vegetable plants with every fertilizing process in the bed.
tips
Instead of composting the scarified moss, simply use it as ground cover for drab, cool, shady locations in the garden. Typical lawn mosses, such as the sparse wrinkled brother (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) are ideally suited for this. Simply let the combed out moss dry, spread it on nutrient-poor, moist, acidic soil and water.