Learn how to originate moss as an accent plant , groundcover , or lawn option with these tips and whole tone - by - measure instructions .
Matthew Benson
A lush carpet of vivid green moss canevoke a fairy story landscape . Plus , it offers practical solutions to everyday gardening challenge because it is often low - maintenance and more eco - friendly than turf dope and many other ornamental plants . This guide describe the benefit of growing moss and the best types of moss to grow , then furnish step - by - step planting instruction on how to produce moss with some horticulture technique .
Credit:Matthew Benson
Reasons to Grow Moss in Your Garden
Some gardenersconsider moss a nuisanceto be extinguish from their yards . But if you give moss a effort , you may be surprised at all the ways they can benefit your garden . Compared to turf grass and many other garden plants , mosses are low sustenance plants that do n’t need to be pout or fertilized . Due to their eminent water tolerance , they are the everlasting plant to grow in soggy gardens , but lay down moss plants are also drouth - resistant and don’tneed as much weewee as green goddess lawns .
Unlike turf grass , many varieties of moss flourish in shade and acidulent soils that are compact and heavy with cadaver . With over 14,000 species of moss worldwide , nurseryman can witness moss miscellany that tolerate wry and sunny country . Plus , moss plants provide a habitat for insects and other wildlife , and can be used to curb erosion , absorb stormwater runoff , and suppress skunk . It is also not a favorite food for deer and plague .
Aside from its sheer utility , moss is also enchantingly beautiful . Moss come in different textures , colors , and heights and is a must - have plant if you need to create aJapanese - style garden . It can alsoenliven water features , tally colouring to stone walls , andfill in sloped landscapesthat are difficult to mow .
Credit:Michael Partenio
Sourcing Moss
Before starting a moss garden , you ’ll ask to get your hand on some moss . If you already have moss growing in your yard , you could apply this existing moss to “ seed ” other areas of your dimension . However , you’re able to also purchase moss in bed sheet or fire hydrant from plant greenhouse or pasturage for moss in the landscape painting around you .
When foraging for moss , never reap more than 1/10 of the moss you witness . Be certain to come local foraging guidelines and acquire any license you need to gain crazy moss .
Michael Partenio
Credit:Bob Stefko
Types of Moss
Many unlike moss diverseness can be grown in gardens , but you ’ll need to do some inquiry to find out what eccentric of moss will grow comfortably on your holding . Here are some popular moss varieties ( visualise above from top leftover moving clockwise ):
Sheet Moss
Sheet moss ( Hypnumspp . ) is an easy - travel moss variety that is a breeze to transplant , and it appear peculiarly appealing when farm as a ground cover orplanted in garden walkways .
Cushion Moss
Attractive shock moss ( Leucobryum glaucum ) acquire in witching clumps or mounds that are sure to stand out in any garden .
Rock Cap Moss
stone hood moss ( Dicranumspp . ) is a good choice for deep shade . It can be used as a ground cover , but it also happily clambers over rock walls and boulders .
Hair Cap Moss
Unlike many other moss varieties , haircloth detonator moss ( Polytrichum commune ) can toleratefull sun conditionsas long as it get enough water . tomentum roof moss is also one of the best moss to originate for erosion control .
Pleurocarpous - case or prostrate mosses are fast cultivator that spread horizontally and can handle a fair amount of foot dealings . On the other hand , upright Acrocarpous - type mosses are more likely to be disturbed by foot dealings , but their emergence drug abuse give them heap of visual collection .
Bob Stefko
Credit:Laurie Black
How to Plant a Moss Garden
If you have an exist spell of moss in your yard and you want it to spread , rake over the moss with a leaf rake or give way off some clumps of the moss and plant them around your garden . However , if you ’re growing a moss garden from scratch , plant moss sheets , clumps , or plugs in either fountain or come down using the simple planting steps below .
Step 1: Prepare Your Planting Spot
absent existing weeds , plant , and locoweed . Rake the area gratis of any residual plant debris .
Step 2: Do a Soil Test
If you ’re planting a lot of moss , it ’s a effective theme totest your soilto ensure it provides an optimal environment for moss growth . Unlike many decorative plants , mosses typically thrive in acidic environments with a pH of around 5.5 . If your soil is too alkaline , useelemental sulfuror another organic soil acidifier to bring down the soil pH as demand . Although it can be tempting to add compost to your garden before planting moss , this usually is n’t necessary because moss originate well in poor soils .
Step 3: Pack Down the Soil
In plus to soil sourness , mosses also favour to grow in compact earthly concern , so go ahead and walk all over the field where you plan to establish your moss garden . If you have a lot of blank space to insure , you may want to habituate a tamping bar or garden tumbler pigeon to backpack down the soil even further .
Step 4: Rake the Area
After you ’ve prepped the filth , lightly scratch the grease ’s open with a rake or three - pronged digger to make it easier for moss to “ root . ”
Step 5: Plant the Moss
light dampen the ground and then spread your moss over the country where you require it to get . If you ’re mold with moss sail , rest the canvass down over the earth . However , if you have a bunch of ground to track , you may spread smaller clumps or plugs of moss around your landscape painting and tolerate the moss to take in over clock time .
After repose down the moss , walk over your moss plants to press them into the soil and fasten any large pieces ( if involve ) with landscape painting staples .
Step 6: Add Water
After planting , piss the moss deeply so the grime is wet but not swampy . Water the moss flora day by day for the next four to six week .
Laurie Black
Caring for a Moss Garden
Established moss plants only need to be water during period of drought , and moss does n’t require fertilizer either . you may hop-skip mowing if you ’re growing moss in your lawn or garden . However , you will postulate to keep up with weeding the moss patches to ensure larger plants do n’t intrude .
Most mosses can handle light invertebrate foot dealings , but if you ’re growing moss in an area with heaps of activity , you may want to set up footpaths orstepping stone . It ’s also good drill torake leaves off moss patchesin autumn so the leaves do n’t smother the moss . With right care and upkeep , most mosses will double up in size in about a year , filling in bleak soil and colonize your garden blank space all on their own .
Frequently Asked Questions
It can take 12 - 18 months for moss to get across a yard , and up to 2 geezerhood for it to reach its maximal thickness . Fern moss and sheet moss will grow at a faster pace than other types of moss .
Since moss does n’t have any stem , it can grow without stain . It can circularise on rocks , wood , fabric , and glass .
Moss can provide protection for insects like mallet , spiders , ants , roach , and worm . However , it should n’t attract them any more than the other plants in your one thousand .
