Can Moss Get Mold?

last month

I’m renting a new townhome and the small, shady backyard space is mostly overtaken by ivy, and otherwise is a dirt patch with moss and some ground cover trying to grow. It gets irrigated but doesn’t drain well, so it seems to be mostly clay. I’ve been told grass won’t grow because there’s not enough sun but I’m wondering if that’s true (?), because I see some tiny grass patches and I’ve seen grass in shady places before! I suspect the soil isn’t good. More troubling are the black patches that appear in the dirt spots. Might these be mold? I’ve been hoping to expand the moss to cover bare spots, but I’m wondering if actually the mold is expanding instead, if that’s what it is. Also, there are tree roots that might be contributing to these problems.

Can mold grow on unhealthy yard, within moss? How do I get rid of it?
How possible is it to grow grass in the shade?
Are these tree roots or ivy making the soil poor?

I think I just want a grassy area…or maybe stones…but I’m only renting and don’t want to put too much effort into this. What’s wrong with my soil and how can I easily fix it?

Insights? Tips? Thank you!

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beesneeds

last month

I think the black stuff might be moss- just unhealthy/dead moss. There's a few reasons for black moss- too much water, too little air, mold, algae, debris build up as it breaks down, and tannin buildup. Sometimes a hostile environment or chemicals.

Probably not tanin buildup since that is mostly due to sun exposure. If it feels slimy or compost-y, then it's taking a while to break down. If it feels dry/crispy... hard to tell from the pics, but does not look like mold there. Maybe alage, but it requires a steady wet. And that cracked earth would suggest it's not that wet. It does not look like a smothered area, so might not be air issue.

It might be hostile environement. Moss does not like competition. It's fine growing over a big tree root, but ivy will smother it out. If it's pretty much straight clay, and no leaf litter being left, there isn't much organic matter for the moss to feed on and that might be an issue. If the dirt has a funky smell to it, like swampy- that is a soil health issue. If it's irrigated and does not drain well and creates a flood and drain situation- moss only tolerates that so far, but will be reluctant to grow in the worst spots of it. It likes lightly moist feet and dry greens. What is being irrigated?

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Comments (7)

KR Nuttle
last month
Based on the pattern in the area, are the black areas actually on stones that make up an overgrown patio?
karenpapais
Original Author
last month
Nope. No stones. It’s just solid cracked mud/clay. They put in the deck a few years ago and I assume it was a big construction mess at that time. When I moved in the handyman had spray-painted some things in the yard so I’m wondering if there is chemical damage or some other reason things aren’t alive there.
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Sigrid
last month
If you have a landscaping service that mows the whole yard on a weekly basis, particularly if they use heavy, ride-on mowers, the treads on damp ground can kill anything trying to grow. We had a patch like that. We got rid of our landscapers, didn't mow anything that didn't need mowing and put down sod. Sore spot gone!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last month
I think soil compaction may be the biggest issue. That will result in bare, dry, cracked soil conditions and an inability of plants to grow well. Aerating can help but it depends on how much time, effort and dollars you want to spend on a rental property.

The tree roots are also not helping but nothing can or should be done about that. It might make sense to just apply a layer of fine bark mulch and then maybe add a couple of containers of shade loving plants to liven things up.

Turf grasses tend to dislike much shade (although some are more tolerant of shade than others) But for a lawn to grow well, it also needs a loose, fertile, well drained and organically rich soil, which you do not have.

btw, there is no mold growing in your garden :-)
Sherry8aNorthAL
last month
last modified: last month
I believe the black spots are where the painter killed some of the moss. I would pull them up and place in the garbage.

A quick fix for looks would be wood chips. The moss and/or ivy will grow through them. A bit harder would be to buy some 12”x12” concrete paver squares and a bag of paver sand for leveling. The pavers can move with you when you leave.
KR Nuttle
last month
Based on the pictures, it looks like your yard is quite small. 50' X 30?? especially the area between the Deck? and the fence 5'/6' by the width of the deck?.

If so you may wish to re think what you want in that area. As said above in a small area like that, compaction is going to be a problem. Possibly as I was thinking when I ask earlier would a block or stone patio be better suited for this area than grass?