Moss as an Alternative for Grass
Growing and maintaining grass is a lot of work. If you want to explore alternatives, moss is a beautiful option that feels fantastic underfoot. There are pros and cons to a moss lawn.
Moss Lawn Pros: Moss is self-sufficient. It doesn’t need irrigation, fertilizer, or mowing. It doesn’t attract pests and its root systems can help stabilize soil and combat erosion. Moss lawns also look lush and can be combined with other types of grass alternatives to create a textured and multidimensional landscape design.
Moss Lawn Cons: Moss is not as durable as grass and won’t be able to handle heavy traffic from kids or pets playing. It needs specific conditions to thrive: acidic soil, shade and moisture. Moss transplants also cost more than grass seed.
If you’re interested in growing moss in your yard, ask a Lowe’s associate which variety of moss works best for your growing region. With preparation and patience, you can grow a moss garden.
Choose Your Moss Growing Method
Before you grow moss, it’s important to understand the conditions it needs to thrive. Moss prefers acidic soil and shaded, moist areas. Too much exposure to sun will force it into a dormant phase or could kill it completely.
There are two easy ways to grow moss. Transplant plugs of moss or create a moss slurry that can be applied to surfaces. If you’re looking to cover larger patches of dirt, transplanting moss works well. A moss slurry is the best option for getting moss to grow on hard surfaces like rock walls or the space in between patio pavers.
How to Transplant Moss
Start by testing your soil with an at-home soil test. Moss prefers a soil pH of 5.0-6.0. Choose your location then gently loosen the soil with a cultivator and moisten the dirt. Place the plugs of moss on top of the soil. Use medium-sized rocks on top of the moss to keep the moss's roots in contact with the soil. Water the new moss once a day in the morning, depending on the weather and temperature, to keep it moist while it acclimates to its new environment. After a week or two, it should start to take root and not need additional water.
Try a Moss Slurry
Add moss in between stone pavers or on your favorite stone wall with a moss slurry. It’s almost like making a moss milkshake.
Combine equal parts buttermilk and water in a blender, fill the remaining space with moss and blend until it reaches a smoothie-like consistency. Use a paintbrush to apply a coating of this mixture over rocks or wherever you want to see moss grow.
How does the slurry work? Moss can grow from the fragments of leaf and plant suspended in the solution. The buttermilk mixture adds acidity while acting as a paste that holds the plant pieces in place till they start growing rhizoids (roots) that will hold them in place on their own.
This is a messy but fun process, and the results are amazing. There’s something ethereal about a garden with touches of moss. It feels like a wild forest instead of a man-made garden.
Make a Ball of Moss or a Moss Garden
You can get creative with where you grow moss—creating a ball of moss, moss letters or just an interesting geometric design between paving stones. After you’ve applied the moss mixture, keep the surface moist using the fine mist setting on your garden hose nozzle. A stronger spray stream can wash away the moss slurry.