How and Why To Grow Moss For Your Yard and Garden
Growing moss is an easy way to add some vegetation to your yard or garden and make it look lusher. Maybe you have some areas around the edge of your yard or garden that aren’t as thick and verdant as you’d like them to be because the soil is not the best, or it’s too shady. Moss does great in shady areas and doesn’t need rich soil. Plus, it is so soft and doesn’t require mowing. Maybe you have a stone garden path or an old fence that could use some extra character. Moss will add charm and whimsy to whatever you choose to plant it on.
Benefits
As a bioindicator, moss can be used to gauge how clean the air is in a specific area. Having it in your yard will help filter out any pollutants in the air. It is also helpful in minimizing erosion and wash-out in sloped areas of your property. Moss doesn’t have traditional roots it has rhizoids, which look like roots but are covered in tiny hair-like strands that help it anchor into the soil and serve as a type of net holding the soil in place. Once the moss has propagated in the earth, it does not take nutrients from the soil. It takes all of its sustenance from the sun and rainwater and then releases any excess back into the soil. This means that not only is the moss not taking nutrients out of your lawn, but it is putting extra nutrients into the soil. Moss has no known pests attracted to it, so it won’t bring aphids or spider mites to your yard. What it will attract, are beneficial bugs, like worms and beetles, which are good for the soil and double as a food source that will attract birds. If you live in the right climate, moss will also act as a nursery for lightning bugs to brighten up your yard in the evenings.
Getting Started
Now that you know about all the benefits, let’s learn how to grow your own moss. Growing moss is so simple and you’ll only need a handful of things to get started, most of which you probably have at home already.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of Water
- 2 Cups of Buttermilk
- A piece of moss does not matter if it’s fresh or dried out
Tools
- A blender
- A paintbrush
Directions
Now that you have everything you need, let’s get started on growing moss.
- Pour all of the buttermilk and water into the blender.
- Fill the blender the rest of the way to the top with moss.
- Blend until you have a thick, even consistancy, somewhere between heavy cream and a milkshake. Make sure there are no chunks of moss left.
- Use the paintbrush and paint the mixture over whatever you want the moss to grow on.
Maintenance
- Find a nice shady spot to let your moss propagate. Partial sun is alright, but it will do best in full shade.
- Use a spray bottle to mist the moss and keep it moist but not soaked.
