How To Get Rid Of Moss On Gravel Driveways, Walkways, And Patios?

For some, a garden full of luscious green moss is a dream come true. However, there are situations where that dream doesn't quite live up to expectations. Moss can be very slippery, so its presence anywhere that sees a lot of foot traffic creates a hazard. In extreme cases it could even completely obscure a footpath or driveway, which can make your yard both look overgrown and become difficult to traverse. Moss is easy enough to clean off a walkway, patio, or other garden feature made with a solid material like concrete or stone, as you can typically just pressure wash the greenery away, but paths and pavilions made with gravel are trickier to keep clean. This said, there are a few ways to remove moss even from gravel surfaces.

Using gravel in your yard and garden is a great way to conserve water, but in certain instances, it could require more involved maintenance, such as if moss begins to grow. Trying to pressure wash moss off of gravel will usually result in the rock fragments scattered everywhere with bits of moss still attached. While it's certainly possible with the right technique and the patience to track down stray bits of gravel, most homeowners will find it a lot simpler to use a product made specifically to get rid of moss (a mossicide). Depending on what product you use, you may have to wait a few days for the moss to die. Once it has (or turned brown), you can use a rake to sweep it off of the gravel. You can also use the herbicide preemptively so you don't have to deal with moss in the first place.

If you prefer to stay away from harsh chemicals, you can whip up your own natural moss killer by mixing vinegar or baking soda with water. Note that these solutions will have a negative effect on most vegetation, so apply it carefully to the mossy gravel. Otherwise, it can be difficult to remove moss from gravel without chemicals, especially if you want to do so by mechanical means. Using a stiff-bristle brush to spot scrub away any mossy patches may work for small infestations, but doing so literally won't solve the root of the problem, and trying to rake away live moss can potentially spread it farther. You could use a power washer, but only if you've also used a method, such as compacting, to lock the gravel in place.

The good news is that preventing moss from creeping onto your gravel in the first place is simple. Moss thrives in damp conditions, so keeping your gravel driveway, sidewalk, or patio free of standing water and out of the shade can help a lot with stopping moss. You should also take care to keep your gravel surfaces clean of both larger debris like branches or toys, as well as smaller bits of leaves and dirt that settle between the rocks. If moss is still giving you trouble, you may want to try one of the many tips to prevent moss from growing in your yard. Regular maintenance, plus a twice yearly treatment of moss killer, should help keep your gravel clean and slip-free.