I have SO MUCH moss on many of my iris patches. I have about 90 varieties and I'm guessing at least half of them have moss in them.

I don't have any mulch on the iris.

I've tried vinegar which worked for a while but it came back. It also did harm to the iris, even though I tired to keep it off of them.

I read somewhere that lime would help. I put some on the worst patches last fall but I see the moss is already going strong this spring.

I've even dug clumps of it out but just can't get it all and it grows right back.

I would scrape off the larger clumps of moss, then spread garden lime (pulverized) on the bed. Make sure to water in the lime so it spreads through your soil. I would also have your soil tested. It is obviously acidic with so much moss.

yes, Moss doesn't like lime.

Sue, Haven't seen you on here before. A fellow Cheese Head!

Yes, Sue ! We have a lot of moss as well,....in the iris beds, perennial beds, AND in our crushed limestone driveways! I've heard the 'moss doesn't like lime", and "sprinkle lime on it", and "squirt it with vinegar " many times, and tried them all, and none seems to work for me !..........we scrape the worst off, and spray the remainder with Bayer's Moss and Algae killer.....which doesn't seem to hurt anything else, ....and that seems to "knock it down", pretty well, but, it always comes back

I had success sprinkling lime on my Iris beds where moss was growing. It worked fine! I was kinda heavy-handed with it, tho...... But it does come back -- can't change the basics of Mother Nature!

Hi Sue. Glad you joined us!

Thank you all. It sounds like lime is the way to go. I'll keep a regiment of that going starting this spring. I will scrap off the big chunks of moss and treat with the lime. The worst spots are around the tamarack tree which is the type of pine that loses its needles every year. They all blow into the garden so I'm sure that whole area is quite acidic. I do need to take the time and have some soil tests done.

I appreciate all the advise.

I am sure you are talking about bearded iris, but just to be safe I need to add: don't put lime on Japanese iris, it will kill them.

Welcome Sue.
The application of lime is the way to go, but the soil may be so acidic that it only helps a little. That soil test will help you know how much more to add. Vinegar will just add to the acidity so avoid that.

Sue, hope you enjoy this crazy, knowledgeable, fun filled group of Iris enablers!

DaveinPA said:Welcome Sue.
The application of lime is the way to go, but the soil may be so acidic that it only helps a little. That soil test will help you know how much more to add. Vinegar will just add to the acidity so avoid that.

I'm glad you told me about the vinegar. Won't do that again.

Lestv said:I am sure you are talking about bearded iris, but just to be safe I need to add: don't put lime on Japanese iris, it will kill them.

Yes, it's the bearded iris. I have one patch of Japanese (or Siberian iris ??), same thing??? Anyway, they are so overgrown there isn't any room for moss to grow there.

Welcome, Sue!

Phillipb2 said: Sue, hope you enjoy this crazy, knowledgeable, fun filled group of Iris enablers!

Thank you all for the wonderful welcome. I've been on ATP for quite a while now, but I spend most of my time on the daylily forum. Thought I better come here and get the low down on that darn moss since I've been unsuccessful dealing with it. I'm sure going to tackle it with the lime and get a soil test too.

ALL and I'll keep you updated through the year to let you know how it's going.

Siberian & Japanese irises are both beardless, but not the same thing. I moved to New England, but was born a cheesehead. & still follow the Packers.

I leave the moss alone or move it between stepping stones. I like it.

irisarian said:Siberian & Japanese irises are both beardless, but not the same thing. I moved to New England, but was born a cheesehead. & still follow the Packers.

Go Pack!!!

Linneaj said:I leave the moss alone or move it between stepping stones. I like it.

I love the moss too, just not in the iris patch. Between stepping stones would be beautiful!!!

It's kind of mind boggling to read about struggles with moss. It's so very rare to see it here.

In SoCal it's dry nearly always -- so no moss. Would be doomed any way because we are sitting on limestone.

We certainly have our problems, just not that one. Interesting the regional differences. One of the problems we do have is the one Carl mentioned the other day -- shorty irises. He said it's due to spells of hot weather. Makes sense -- and I'm glad to finally have an explanation.