How to Grow a Moss Lawn

Individuals with a moist, shaded yard may wish to consider growing a moss lawn. While typically seen as a nuisance when growing amongst standard lawn grass, moss can form a luxuriously lush, green lawn on its own. Traditionally cultivated in Japanese-themed rock gardens, moss can be grown in any yard that has lots of cool shade, moisture and slightly acidic soil.

Things You'll Need

• Rake Soil pH test kit Ground rock sulfur or hydrated lime (optional) Moss Garden spade Water Sprinkler and timer (optional)

Instructions

1. Pull any weeds and other plants currently growing in the area. Make the entire area bare, and remove rocks, branches and any other debris or objects on the ground.

2. Carry out a pH soil test using your pH testing kit. Moss requires a slightly acidic soil base. Your soil should have a pH level of approximately 5.5. If necessary, lower soil pH levels by one point by mixing 1.2 ounces of rock sulfur for every square yard of dirt. Alternatively, raise the pH by one point by mixing eight ounces of hydrated lime in every square yard of soil. Repeat this step until the pH level is just right.

3. Lightly water the soil until the dirt is moist but not muddy.

4. Obtain moss. Your local nursery may sell flats of moss. Alternatively, transplant the moss from another area of your yard or from moss growing in the wild. Harvest the moss with a garden spade, carefully scooping the moss up off of the surface on which it is growing.

5. Lay the transplanted moss on the prepared soil plot. Gently pat it down so that the moss is level. Water continuously throughout the day to keep the moist perpetually moist, but not dripping wet. If you are not able to manually water the moss, set a sprinkler with a timer. The moss will establish itself within three weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Start a moss lawn in areas on which moss is already growing, as naturally-growing moss signifies proper soil acidity and environmental conditions.

References

• Goatley, Michael. "Lawn Moss: Friend or Foe?" Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech. May 1, 2009.

Resources

• Costaris, Charlene. "Moss in Lawns." Rutgers State University. 2008.