How to Build a Moss Garden

Moss, for some gardeners, is the green stuff they have to remove from surfaces in damp, shady areas; for others, it is a beautiful element in a tranquil garden. Japanese gardens often feature moss, and its soft green color can evoke a peaceful environment. If you have a shady, acidic soil and moss is already growing there, you have the ideal location. Moss will grow on rocks and natural surfaces, so building an interesting garden is an easy task with the right elements.

Rocks or large stones
Concrete statuary
Fallen wood or driftwood
Garden trellis
Leaf compost or manure fertilizer
Water
Blender
Sour milk or buttermilk (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the location of your moss garden by finding an ideal spot for moss to grow. Often we have what we call a difficult area of our yard that is too shady to grow anything that requires much sun, but this is the perfect spot for moss. Rather than fight the landscape, you can tailor the area to moss, which will readily inhabit the bare areas. The soil can be sandy or clay; the main priority is that it be acidic enough.
- 2
  Add elements to the landscape to make it a more interesting focal point. Use fallen wood with a natural shape or driftwood you have found as a base for your moss to grow on. You can add rocks, build a small rock wall or use concrete statuary as an interesting location to grow moss on. Use natural surfaces to grow the moss, such as brick, clay, natural concrete or wood. Create a backdrop for your plants, and add a water feature or birdbath if you desire.
- 3
  Begin with mosses that may already be growing in the vicinity or are native to the area. These will grow and propagate most easily. You can get mosses at a local garden center, online or from nearby woods and shady areas.
- 4
  Prepare the moss for growth by placing 1 lb. of leaf compost or manure into a large bucket or jar. Add water to make a slurry. Pour off the water and floating debris. Add 1 cup of the remaining mud to several large chunks of moss in an old blender. Mix them together to a consistency of pancake batter. If you don't have a blender, mix by hand. Alternatively, combine 1 cup of clay powder, 1 cup of undiluted fish emulsion and 3 cups of water. Add in 1 cup of fresh shredded moss. Mix well.
- 5
  Paint your moss mixture on the surfaces you want to cover with moss growth. It can also go directly on the ground. Keep the moss lightly moist by misting it regularly until the moss begins to grow and get established.
- 6
  Transplant chunks of moss to areas of your garden like sod by laying them on the surface you want them to grow and misting them with water until they attach and begin to grow.
- 7
  Add buttermilk or sour milk to the moss if the moss is not doing well and the soil acidity is too low.

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