Moss transforms your garden into a green refuge wherever other plant species persistently refuse. In no time at all, previously dreary, poorly lit niches radiate an inviting, fragrant green naturalness. We will be happy to explain proven methods for establishing moss in the bed.
Moss is an important part of Japanese gardens
This is how moss becomes at home in the bed - tips on location and planting
Moss species are just as popular a design component in the authentic Japanese garden as they are in any creative ornamental garden. A prime example of a robust, magnificent garden moss is Widertonmoos (Polytrichum commune). Fountain liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha), broom moss (Dicranum scoparium) or white moss (Leucobryum glaucum) also prove to be decorative, but do not easily tolerate drought and sunshine. This is how you settle the mosses correctly:
- A semi-shady to shady location is ideal, preferably humid, with acidic forest or moor soil
- Spread out a 5-8 cm thick layer of leaf compost, peat or bog soil as a base
- Rake the substrate smooth and compact it slightly with a lawn roller
- Using a wooden skewer, make small holes 3-4 cm apart
- Insert a few stalks of moss into it, press the soil together and pour in a fine spray
The settlement of pre-grown moss from the garden center succeeds more quickly. 5 of the handy moss patches in a 13 cm pot are enough to green one square meter of bed area. It is important to note that immediately after planting, the moss is kept slightly moist so that it can establish itself without any problems.
Greening with moss-milk stone - this is how it works
Since moss thrives without roots, it is ideal for imaginative greening of stones, tubs or walls. You will need 2 cups of buttermilk, 2 cups of water and 1 large piece of moss. Mix the ingredients in the blender until the mixture has the consistency of a milkshake. You spray the stony surface with it or apply the moss milk with a brush.
tips
In the terrarium or in an orchid display case, forest moss is a decorative substrate that also makes a valuable contribution to the warm, humid microclimate. Specialist shops offer practical moss bricks that unfold in water within 15 minutes. After you have spread a 4-8 cm thick layer of leaf compost on the terrarium floor, you can easily settle the forest moss on it without committing a trespass on protected moss species.