Sunday

Creeping Moss...... How To!

Have you ever seen 'Creeping Moss' growing on trees, rocks, bricks and terracotta flower pots, and wanted some,,, hard thing to buy I know... I can tell you how to make your own grow and flourish in your garden! The photo above is my big "Hickory Tree" and last year I painted it with Yogurt..... yes Yogurt!

                   
I simply bought a container of 'plain yogurt', took a paintbrush and went around my yard.. picked out choice rocks, flowerpots and a few trees... painted the yogurt on, and within the year the "Moss" was growing!

          
Moss doesn’t really put roots into the soil or surface underneath it so much as anchor itself to the soil or surface using a rudimentary structure called a rhizoid. Moss can grow on trees, rocks, soil, sand, roofs, old gym shoes, foam rubber, old rugs etc. but moss cannot grow or attach itself to a smooth surface because there is nothing to grip. Once I found Brachythecium salebrosum , a nice very thick carpeter creeping moss, growing on a smooth red clay brick in a dry stream bed. The frequent rains kept the salebrosum well hydrated and the moss hanging off the brick on the upstream side was positioned to brace itself against the rushing waters. Thinking that this moss had adhered to the brick, I lifted the brick and moss together and then carefully examining the moss found that it was not adhering or attaching to the brick at all, but instead just laying on the brick. Except when you are growing moss in containers you generally will want to use a soil or other surface that moss can grip.

The moss I grew seems to be laying on the surface of all the areas I painted the yogurt.



After 'painting' with yogurt try not to 'wash with the hose' for as long as possible,, several weeks if you can avoid it... then when watering your garden, 'do' get the yogurt spot wet.. it likes moisture and will grow very well!  Try to avoid 'sunny' spots, stick to the shady areas if you can... One of my 'Moss spots' is growing in about 4 hrs of sun a day...But remember, it likes water and often.


This was a trick my Mom taught me, many moons ago (her words not mine)...

Who knew?


"Happy Memorial Day" everyone... Fly your Flag proudly!

I'm linking to

Garden Party @ Soughern Fried Dreams 













15 comments:

Granny said...

I'd heard that before about growing moss. I'd never seen anyone try it though.

ana @ iMadeItSo said...

what an interesting bit of info. i have some of those twine balls that i'd like to get all mossy, so i'm going to try this. thanks for sharing!

Wendy said...

I am so glad you shared this with us. I am going to give this a try! Love how the moss is growing in your flower beds! I would have thought it was there naturally on its own!
Smiles :)
Wendy

thesimpledaze said...

What a very helpful post.Thanks so much for the info on growing moss now I will add this to my to do list.Your looks so natural like it just belongs there.Have a great Memorial Day.

Anonymous said...

I love moss growing around on things. Sadly it's just too dry here for it to last into the summer. I love what you've done.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Thank you so much for this tip! I'll be sure to use it.

Grannys Attic said...

Thanks a bunch for sharing that, I can't wait to try it. We have a pond in our back yard and I would love to see moss growing on the rocks. Blessings, Vicky

Sharon@Keeninspirations said...

Hi! I found you over at ISVC and HAD to find out more! I love gardening and have lots of shade and rocks! This idea would be great for my area! Thanks so much for sharing. Did it take the full year to grow? Since you mentioned not hosing, how does the rain affect the development?
Thanks again!
Sharon

Shellbelle said...

This is a great technique, I've used it on clay pots before that I then place under trees where the grass won't grow. Add a shade loving plant and it just takes on that woodsy look. Great post!

Paula Grace Designs said...

What a great thing to know. I seriously had no idea how to make moss grow. And now I do. Thanks so much for the info and for joining Timeless Tuesday!
Paula Grace ~

Erin @ The Little Apartment said...

Growing your own creeping moss? Yogurt? Yes please! You know I'm following you now! (:

Holly Lefevre said...

I had heard buttermilk...yogurt would be better less drippy! I am using this idea for sure...I need more moss!

Southern Fried Gal said...

I LOVE Moss and have lots of different varieties growing around my house. This is a great tip for those that don't already have a start!

I would love for you to share this tip with my friends at my Garden Party if you get a chance.

Have a blessed week!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

So Cool!
I'll have to give this a try.
I live in Texas and it is getting HOT and DRY here---I'll still experiment and see what comes up! lol
Thanks for the tip.

Nanna said...

I've never heard that before, that was interesting LOL
Helen