Idea about growing moss possibility

[bbird]

Ok, got an idea. While reading over on HT, someone posted how to get moss out of their grass which got me to thinking.

I've had a terrible time establishing grass in our yard. It grows, that is no problem but between dh letting the animals destroy it before it's strong and planted, I lose it every year over the winter.

But....

I do get moss to grow over the winter. I'm wondering if there is a seed that grows moss? I have no idea, lol.

Since we are in the woods, and this is prime location for moss to flourish I would like to speed up the process and let it take over my yard. Soft to walk on, will stay during winter. Because we live on a hill we do have very wet ground.

Tell me the drawbacks to this plan. Maybe there is no way to plant moss.

[dlangland]

You might think about posting this over on the gardening forum, also, bbird. I read that over there on HT also, yet chose not to comment since I am trying to be selectively quiet there these last months. I believe I have read that there is a way to purchase moss...Spring Hill comes to mind if you do an internet search. www.springhillnursery.com sells Irish moss, yet I don't know that I would ever purchase moss. (Edited becasue I just looked it up.) I believe moss starts as a spore, similar to mushrooms, and once you get it started and it loves it's location...I have moss growing on the north side of my garage and other places that seldom see any sun. In the past, I have successfully transplanted clumps of already existing moss to other shady locations. The most difficult thing for me in the midwest was remembering to keep it continually damp until established. Best to do it while it's fairly cool out. Once the summer heat waves come, it doesn't work quite so well. The yrs. I worked as a professional garden, one rich lady insisted she wanted the moss eradicated form between her bricks in her fancy walks. I just never understood that. I thought it looked nice, myself, and would like to do something like that for myself again here. ;)Deb

[bbird]

Hmmm...I have anothe idea (can you say over active imagination? )

Our barn roof is literally covered with about 4 inches of moss. It does this every winter, and dh gets up there and shovels it off. Now, I am wondering if it would be possible to shovel it off in like foot sections and transplant it into the yard. I think I will ask dh about that. I could start by making a path where we walk to the driveway and see how it holds up.

I actually hate to see it shoveled off the barn roof because in the spring it has the tiniest little wildflowers growing from it. It is really beautiful, but dh says it is too much weight on the roof.

Dh is going to love me when he gets home. All my idea's require HIM to work more.

Ohh, I hear ya on moss between bricks. I love that look!

[bbird]

OMG....check this out. I found an easy recipe for growing moss.

Adding moss to a garden is a beautiful way to enhance its appearance, and with this easy and inexpensive recipe, you'll enjoy growing moss as well.


Steps:
1. Put a handful of the moss you want to grow into a blender.

2. Add 1/2 tsp. sugar and one can of beer (the cheapest brand). You can substitute buttermilk for beer if you want.

3. Blend just long enough to mix the ingredients and break down the moss.

4. Spread the soupy mixture with a spatula over the ground or rocks where you want the moss to grow.


Tips:
Remove as much dirt from the moss as you can before you start.

Moss grows best in shady areas.


Warnings:
Once you've spread the moss mixture, don't get it wet or you will wash the mixture away.

Hmmm, now I am thinking of using the cement mixer to do mega batches. I'm also thinking that the chickens might leave the mixture alone if they happen to be let out by dh too, because there would be no visible signs of seeds like grass seeds give off.

Ok, I'm getting excited.

[dlangland]

Hey, I am a little slow on the trigger. I just edited my first post to include the name of the place I remembered seeling moss after I finally looked it up. My thought with anything to do with gardening...If it's free except for you time and it works, more power to you. I'll see if I do some more research. Inquiring minds want to know. Actually, I am glad you asked. I am still trying to get a vision of how to landscape the area out my west back door which hooks up to the north, back, shady side of my garage. I want to do a inset brick patio block thing out there to set a table/chairs/grill on. Deb ;D PS My moss is still there each and every time the snow melts enough for me to see it.

[bbird]

Thanks...I'll wander over there to the garden forum and see what is going on. I've been quiet over there too lately. (I go by a different name over there, lol)

I had no idea about these moss gardens I am finding while googling. Very fascinating, and I really do like the looks.

Sounds like you and I have some plans for the summer. We are going to be building a big deck and I will have to figure out how to make it look not so deckish, lol.

edited to add: Here is a fascinating website bryophytes.science.oregonstate.edu/mosses.htm

[Deleted]

Keep in mind that Moss likes compact soil. I want to say it really like alkaline soil too but I can't remember for sure.

Good luck and let us know what works. I have some beautiful little mosses that grow in my woods. I love getting right down on the ground and looking at them when they flower.

[bergere]

You can also put a bit of moss in a blender with some milk. Blend it up well.... and just put the mixture where you want the moss to grow.

I like Moss better than Grass around the house. At least we do not have to mow Moss!

[bbird]

I talked to my mom this morning and she was saying that milk would work just as good as beer too. That is very cool to know.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out. I think I am going to do a pathway first to experiment. I'm going to use the moss that is already in parts of the yard since I know it likes the same soil. It is very compacted soil where it will go, so should be perfect.