How to Feed Moss

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Things You'll Need

  • Leaf blower

  • Dried skim milk or buttermilk

  • Water

  • Watering can

  • Bucket

  • Burlap or cheesecloth bag

  • Dried or fresh cow manure

Encourage moss to grow in your garden.

Although gardeners often consider moss to be a problem, it can also be an attractive addition to the landscape. Moss only grows in areas with good air and water quality, helping you monitor your environment. Moss also retains moisture and nutrients in the soil. It reduces erosion and serves as year-round ground cover. Moss requires little maintenance once you establish it in your garden, but you can feed it to help it flourish.

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Step 1

Use a leaf blower to remove seeds and conifer needles on the moss because they can eventually smother moss. Pick up heavier debris by hand.

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Step 2

Use your hands to pull out plants other than moss in the area because they can present competition and hinder moss growth.

Step 3

Mix 1 part dried skim milk or buttermilk and 7 parts water. Use a watering can to apply the mixture to the moss twice a day for two weeks in the spring. This makes the soil acidic and more suitable for moss growth.

Step 4

Place fresh or dried cow manure in a burlap or cheesecloth bag. Fill a bucket with water and steep the bag in it for three weeks. Discard the bag and store the bucket. Apply the water in the bucket to the moss whenever it seems unhealthy.

Step 5

Water moss when the weather is hot and dry. Moss can usually tolerate drought well, but it grows best with plenty of moisture.

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