My patio was covered in stubborn moss but I banished it in 10 minutes thanks to a 35p hack – with no pressure washer
TWO experts have shared how to get rid of moss from your patio without pressure washer – and it takes just ten minutes.
Soft and green, moss creates valuable habitats for beetles and woodlice, and it is also a source of food for caterpillars.
But although this low-growing plant isn’t necessarily a problem, there’s no denying that moss can be nightmare for millions of gardeners and homeowners across the world.
As well as taking over lawns, moss is particularly common on patios, covering slabs and stones in a green blanket – and if this is something you struggle with, you’ve come to the right place.
Although using a pressure washer might save you time – and energy – this appliance can cause damage to patios if used the wrong way.
Luckily, two experts have come to rescue with an easier and cheaper alternative – and the secret solution is already sitting in your kitchen.
According to Rafi Friedman, CEO at Coastal Luxury Outdoors and Delah Gomasi, managing director at cleaning company MaidForYou, white vinegar is your best friend when tackling stubborn moss around your property.
Sharing the purse-friendly hack with The Express, Delah said: “It’s really as simple as spraying a mixture of 65 percent water and 35 percent vinegar on the areas you want to have the moss removed, waiting a few days until the moss browns and then using a hard bristled brush to remove the moss from your patio, deck or garden pavers.”
Rafi also advised green-fingered Brits to start the patio makeover by clearing the area before making the DIY concoction, which costs just 35p.
The pro urged to remove any outdoor furniture, BBQs and potted plants, and then give the patio a thorough sweep with a push broom.
Sharing his expertise, Rafi recommended using a different vinegar-to-water ratio.
He said: “Put a one-to-one mixture of white vinegar and plain water into a spray bottle and thoroughly soak any mossy areas of your patio.
“Do your best to avoid spraying any other plants or your lawn, since this mixture will damage the foliage. Let that mixture sit for 10 to 30 minutes.”
When the time is up, use a bristle brush, as well as some more water, and scrub away the moss.
Complete the cleaning process with rinsing the area with a garden hose, and let it dry before putting anything back on the patio.
If you’ve spotted the moss is in between the pavers, Delah warned to avoid pressure-washing it under any circumstance, as this can remove sand and dirt that holds the pavers together.
July gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to tackle this July in your garden.
1. Prune Wisteria
You should only prune back Wisteria twice a year – and July – or mid summer – is one of those times. After flowering cut back long side shoots to around seven buds.five or six leaves.
2. Pinch out tomatoes
Your tomatoes should be really picking up – so pinch out all the side shoots without flowers – and remove all the leaves that are shading the tomatoes – this will give them maximum light and energy.
3. Keep weeding
Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep your weeds under check.
4. Feed Dahlias
To keep Dahlias flowering until Autumn, you must keep feeding them weekly with a liquid fertliser high in potassium – which encourages blooms.
5. Keep deadheading plants
Keep up with deadheading your bedding plants and perennials – so they keep coming back for the season. With roses make sure you’re deadheading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of them flowering again.
6. Check on your pond
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond – make sure it’s clear of algae, which can really bloom when the sun beats down.
7. Feed your lawn
Whether that’s with a liquid feed or granules. If you’ve chosen granules try to get them down before the rain comes, so they soak into the soil.
8. Tend to strawberry plants
Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after you’ve picked them – leaving the crown untouched – which should help with next years fruit.
9. Sow extra seeds
July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sunshine is great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas.
10. Move young plants into soil
Get any young plants you’ve got left in the greenhouse – like courgettes – into the soil.
However, if you insist on using pressure washer, one expert from SGS Engineering, Sam Williams, instructed how to do so to avoid any damage.
He advised moving furniture out of the way first before starting in the top corner of the patio and holding the device at a 30-degree angle.
Once you’ve got the angles ready and everything out of the way, spray the water diagonally across the patio, holding it quite far back to avoid damage to the stones.
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