How to Grow Irish or Scotch Moss (Sagina Subulata)

Though not a true moss, Irish moss (sometimes called Scotch moss) forms a tight mound like moss does, and it works well as a ground cover around stepping-stones and in rockeries. Irish moss thrives in USDA zones 6 to 9.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Spades
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds
• Shovels
• Seeds
• Plants
• Shovels

1. Look for plants at nurseries in spring and summer, or year-round in warmer climates.

2. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds. Buy Irish moss in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose a site with full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

4. Dig a hole for each plant no deeper than the plants were growing in their containers; space the holes 6 inches apart.

5. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting holes before setting the plants in.

6. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

7. Water well until soil is completely moist, weekly during the first year and in summers with no rainfall.

Tips & Warnings

• Irish moss fits tightly around stepping-stones and can take light foot traffic.
• Irish moss grows about 6 inches high and spreads 8 inches.

on 8/8/2006 Be sure to dig up any new grass root growth coming through scotch moss in the early spring. This really reduces the incidence of more grass "invaders" later in the summer (the only big problem). I love my carpet of scotch moss, it fills in between flat stones beautifully and stays green most of the winter!

on 11/22/2005 hello i found a site selling irish moss stones and sticks in the uk as i received my order within 5 days of placing it i would like to recomend it.http://moss4u.tripod.com/moss/