Moss on paving can become slippery and dangerous, not to mention unsightly. However you don't need to use harmful chemicals to get rid of it.
A gardening expert says there is a simple way to remove it that will take just 15 minutes. It uses an item most households already have in the kitchen cupboard.
Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World said the “most environmentally friendly way” to remove moss is to scrub it off using a stiff brush or a dedicated moss remover available from most garden centres. But you could also use white vinegar.
She told the Express: "Mix equal parts water and white vinegar then spray onto the stubborn moss to effectively remove it. Leave for 15 minutes, then sweep off.
If the moss is more severe, she advises leaving the vinegar solution to sit on the paving for longer before sweeping it away. White vinegar is effective as the five percent of acetic acid in it is enough to kill the plant.
She said: "If the moss coverage is only light, sprinkle with baking soda, leave for 24 hours, then brush off. Pouring boiling water onto the moss and then giving it a good scrub with a yard brush is another free moss removal solution.”
Moss grows where no sunlight reaches the surface. So gardeners can also use the spring sunshine to their advantage to remove moss from paving - just let the sun dry up the moss then just brush off.
Angela said: "If a prolonged period of sunny days are forecast, remove any garden furniture and parasols, planters and children’s toys then leave for a few days for the sunshine to desiccate the moss."
Once the moss is removed from the paving, she said that it’s important to prevent the moss from coming back. And this is as simple as keeping on top of brushing and keeping the area clean.
Angela said: "Moss grows more easily if the surface is dirty so make sure you keep the area clean by brushing regularly with a stiff yard brush. When watering your plants try and keep the water off the patio as the combination of shade and water will certainly lead to moss growth.
“If you have planters on the patio, you will find that moss and algae grows on the shady side where the water runs out of the bottom of the pot, so make sure you brush off the water about half an hour after watering the pot."
