Moss is a thorn in the side of many garden owners. But the organisms have a very special way of life and can also be useful in the bed. Preventive measures or an alternative use protect the living space in the bed.
Moss can be installed decoratively in the garden bed
Habitat and site conditions of mosses
A high level of humidity and shade are decisive factors that favor the spread of moss. The spore plants prefer to grow in acidic soil and colonize extreme locations where other plants have a hard time. Mosses do not develop roots. The green parts of the plant absorb water from the air. If the organisms dry out completely, they will not die. They go dormant when dry and survive unfavorable conditions. If water is available, they swell, so that their metabolism is activated again.
Better to prevent than fight
Mosses clean the air and protect the soil from excessive evaporation. They react sensitively to chemical pollution in the air and soil. Mosses in the bed are a sign of unpolluted soil and clean air. Therefore, it is better to carry out preventive measures to prevent the settlement of mosses. Control measures destroy an important part of the ecosystem.
Prevention tips:
1. Drain the soil
A substrate that is too wet occurs when the soil is too dense or too heavy. A drainage helps.
2. Loosen up
To prevent waterlogging from accumulating, loosen the soil regularly. The water drains off better and the soil dries faster on the surface.
3. Enrich the substrate
Fertilize the soil from time to time with compost or a complete organic fertilizer. Apply lime to the soil to raise the pH. Rock flour (14.13€) or sand improves the properties of the soil.
Alternative: design with moss
Numerous types of moss are the ideal ground cover for locations in the shade with wet and heavily compacted soil. Use the small moss cushions from the beds and transplant them to another location. You can create an ideal substrate from leaf compost and sand, which you should press on with a lawn roller. Place the moss pads on the surface about ten centimeters apart and press down lightly. Within a short time, the small cushions have developed into a floor-covering carpet.