Moss lawn fix

[fudgee]

Hi hope I g someone can give some advice on my own, moved into new home 3 years ago and the lawn was like a carpet of moss so I treated it and raked it out, but it came back the next year, Iknow the area is very damp due to all the trees outside sun does not get in it, I heard adding sand will help absorb the moisture, if this is correct do I just sprinkle it over or do I need to toss it in and dig it in, and what seed is best for damp areas, looking for a permanent fix only a small lawn thanks

Sand doesn't so much absorb moisture. Insead, when mixed with the soil it makes it more free driaining so surplus water sinks lower down than the grass layer - meaning the grass roots are not always sat in water which will kill them off.

When balanced with the lack of sun, this is really a problem for the lawn.

If you really are determined to have a lawn then I'd be looking to dig in a large quantiy of sharp sand or to spend time repeatedly forking holes into the existing lawn and then spreading sand over it and using a broom to brush it in so that it falls down the holes. You'll have to keep doing that every few weeks/months until you achieve the better drainage.

Using a shade-specific lawn seed will also help. Something like:

www.bostonseeds.com/products/grass-seeds/lawn-seeds/bs-shady-place-grass-seed.html

Our front lawn is mostly moss. As with yours it is in the shade of trees most of the time. I decided to just leave it be. It's always green and looks nice. I felt otherwise I might be fighting a losing battle.

It's also a fair point about living with what you have vs fighting it. Might that be an option?

I have some moss, and I rather like it. It's a lot of work to have a perfect lawn, especially in shade

Japanese moss gardens can be v attractive, OP. Given the shade and damp, a grass lawn would be a lot of hard work for doubtful return. Maybe work with what you have, and plant different colours and varieties of moss, which could be stunning.