I've had moss growing more and more between my grass for years now, especially in the damper corners of my garden. I've already tried pulling it out with a scarifier, but it always comes back. What method actually helps against it in the long run?
Scarifying alone won't do you any good if the conditions for moss are perfect - it'll just grow back. The real problem is probably too much moisture, compacted soil, or not enough nutrients, so you might need to make some long-term changes. The most effective approach is a combination: first drain the damp spots better (lay drainage if needed or build raised beds), then feed your lawn regularly so the grass gets stronger and crowds out the moss, and use moss killer beforehand to create the foundation. It took me years to really get the moss under control, but ever since it's been dry and nutrient-rich, not much happens there anymore.
The classic that a lot of people overlook: moss needs shade and waterlogging, so check if you can improve the drainage in those damp spots - worst case, you can fill it up with sand or gravel so the water doesn't pool for so long. Chemical moss killer works fast, but without fixing the moisture problems it's guaranteed to grow back.
I had the same problem in my garden, and honestly, the turning point wasn't some single measure, but a combination of things. The most important thing I realized: moss is actually a sign that the lawn itself is too weak and can't compete. If you only fight the moss without strengthening the lawn, you get exactly what you're describing - it just comes back.
What helped me was seeding the bare patches deliberately after scarifying and then fertilizing regularly (especially in autumn and spring). It might sound like a lot of work, but a dense, healthy lawn just smothers the moss on its own. At the same time, I tried to improve drainage in the wet corners - not with major renovations, just by improving aeration and letting water drain away faster. Some people swear by moss killers with iron sulfate, but in my experience that's just a quick fix that kills the moss without solving the real problem.
The key thing is probably this: look at why the moss is growing there in the first place, not how to get rid of it as fast as possible. Too much shade? Waterlogging? Poor soil? You have to tackle it depending on what's causing it. For me, the problem only really went away when I started making the lawn itself healthier instead of just ripping out the moss.
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