Moss Lawn — Success Story!
Moss Lawn – Mossin’ Annie’s Success Story!
My moss lawn experiment has resulted in a magnificent green expanse with various textures and shades to create curb appeal. In a year’s time, 750 sq ft lawn area is 95% covered in bryophytes. As a moss landscape designer and moss farmer, it has been a priority to determine methods for universal success. Committed to quality services and products, it is important to me to confirm my assertions about moss landscaping… following the old adage, “proof is in the pudding.”
While I began serious moss gardening over a decade ago, I finally got rid of the last grass lawn sections in September 2010. I wanted to start a moss lawn from scratch and determine how long it would take to achieve solid coverage. Rather than using my typical method of contingent planting directly on soil, I used several different substrates (i.e., black landscape fabric, erosion control eco-mat, and felt). My planting technique consisted of hand-sized patches and fragments.
Since sun exposures vary throughout the year and during the span of a day, these sections get full sun; partial shade/sun; and even full shade situations. Planting appropriate types that tolerate this range of sun exposures was my first decision. Using types that I hypothesized would meet the challenge of this experimental lawn, I proceeded with: these mosses: Hedwigia, Entodon, Thuidium, Hypnum, Dicranum, Leucobryum, Philonotis, Polytrichum, Bryum and Ceratodon.
Growth rates have varied with Entodon and Thuidium leading the way. Leucobryum has earned the indignity of coming in last place in terms of overall success. Please note: Light spots in the photographs are just sun spots. The actual mosses are green without any dead patches at all. Although I’ll admit the Leucobryum in the lawn area is in a major asexual transition right now…. and, it has suffered a bit from “too much” watering as well.
This lawn is actually a bryophyte lawn since it is not just mosses. 
I’ve been impressed with the liverwort, Marchantia, and its ability to attach and spread at a fast rate. The texture of this 90 sq ft section of Marchantia is amazing. These liverworts provide a deeper green hue and massive amounts of magical umbrella “sporophytes.” And… it’s exciting to report that I’ve even discovered a hornwort, Anthoceros laevis ssp. carolinianus that has introduced itself right into my front yard.
It is important to provide supplemental watering in brief but frequent sessions to achieve these impressive results. Growth may be spotty or occur at much slower rates if you just let Mother Nature provide rainfall for all the moisture needs of a moss lawn.
As people begin to recognize the environmental benefits of a moss lawn over a grass lawn, a practical reference guide is needed. More insights into ways to successfully grow your own moss lawn will be addressed in my first moss gardening book. 
Your support in this book endeavor will allow me to share my expertise with other gardeners and landscapers.
We have an extensive and exclusive selection of moss types… and liverworts at our Mossery. You can shift your own paradigm from grass to mosses and buy some bryophytes from our online Moss Shop. Go Green With Moss!
I live in Western Washington where mosses are rampant and natural. While my neighbors are trying to get rid of moss, I’m trying to encourage the moss and discourage the grass. When I do a Google search, I find millions of hits on killing moss, but not much on how to encourage moss while discouraging grass. To eliminate moss, it is suggested to use lime to alkalize the soil. Since I want to encourage moss, what should I use to acidify the soil?
Since this is November my “lawn” is about 75% moss with some grass showing. It’s lovely. By the way my neighbors think I’m nuts in my endevors to have a moss lawn.
I’m looking forward to the publishing of your book.
Hey Bev,
Oh, how I wish I could visit Washington and Oregon to see the lushness of the mosses in your region! Thankfully, Hollywood uses your forests for the backdrop venues of many movies and I get to marvel at the mosses enveloping the terrain. Not all bryophytes (mosses) require acidic conditions for the soil but many types do. If you think you have moss types that desire acid soil, then adjust your pH as needed. Take a soil sample and determine pH. Many states provide soiling testing free through their Cooperative Extension Service or the corresponding state Dept. of Agriculture. After pH is figured out, then adjust soil with aluminum sulfate or sulfur. There is a good chart at Clemson University Web site that indicates how much to use based upon pH and area sq footage.
Good luck with your moss lawn! I so enjoy mine… but the biggest benefit is to us all… improving our environment… solving issues of concern… reducing groundwater contamination (NO chemicals needed) and air pollution (no lawn mowers). Are we the crazy ones for wanting mosses in sustainable landscapes? Or are your neighbors really the fools for their grass lawn obsessions?
Thanks for the encouragement about my moss gardening book. It will provide a “how-to” guide on moss success! I’m happy to share my expertise with others. Go Green With Moss! Mossin’ Annie
Hello I too love to see moss. I wish I could grow it. I live in Indianapolis Ind. and the soil is clay. Is it possible to get moss started on clay soil and a lot of shade? would I have to spread a layer of good soil before transferring the moss?
thanks for you info. I appreciate your blog…babe wiese
Hey Babe,
As gardeners, we are conditioned to WANT to provide good soil but moss gardeners march to the beat of a different drummer. The reality is that “moss soil” can be atrocious… nutrient-poor “dirt.” Actually, clay is just fine. Often when mixing up “moss soil” for moss container gardens, I include a portion of clay along with some woodsy, decaying leaves and pine needles. The clay doesn’t drain as well as traditional potting/garden soil but mosses like niches where moisture accumulates. I’m pleased when the soil has a clay base when I am installing larger landscape projects.
While pH is a factor in growing mosses, moisture niches seem to be more important in keeping most mosses happy. Supplemental watering can provide a solution to keeping mosses thriving.
Since mosses tolerate cold and freezing temperatures, typical garden ZONES are irrelevant. Many mosses can live in northern ZONES… frankly, all zones are okay.
I do not depend on the “milkshake” method for starting mosses. All of my experimental efforts to use this technique have ended with haphazard results. I’ve found that starting with larger colonies (hand-sized patches) and scattering fragments works much better… that is, if you want to watch mosses grow in. My moss garden installations usually are contingent plantings. These turn-key moss gardens provide instant “green” with no holes that need to fill in. If you start with LIVE mosses and larger sections, you’ll be pleased with your results. Some moss types grow faster than others but be aware that ALL mosses grow slower than most other vascular plants and flowers.
Mountain Moss provides LIVE mosses for sale through our online Moss Shop. Check out our exclusive selection of mosses appropriate for shade and sun. Good luck and keep us posted on your success!
Go Green With Moss!
Mossin’ Annie
Does anyone have a “sidewalk” moss source other than their own sidewalk or driveway. I look strange gathering it in parking lots.
YES… Mountain Moss offers “sidewalk” mosses like Ceratodon, Bryum and Entodon. To my knowledge, we are your only commercial source for these exceptional SUN mosses. We offer an exclusive selection of mosses that are not available elsewhere. Since my original sources for cultivation are from rescue locations in parking lots, I’m sure folks think I’m “strange,” too. If they type you desire is not currently posted, contact me directly for a special order. Thanks, Mossin’ Annie
I have a wonderful mostly moss backyard. This spring some weeds are growing in the middle of my moss. Can I use weed and feed on moss? If not, what is the best way to get rid of weeds growing in moss?