Marianne's Response
How to interplant moss and grass in a lawn
Our front yard is always about 2/3 moss and 1/3 grass. My father (one of your groupies) has always recommended I get rid of the grass and save the moss. How do I do that? What do you suggest I use to promote healthy moss and make the grass go away? And what time of year is best to do this? I do not water the lawn in summer so the grass dies off, but the moss seems to survive pretty well.
Posted by Larry Bargmeyer on February 25, 2014
Marianne's Response
What a wise father you have. The grass will die off slowly if you mow it very short, do not fertilize, and do not water. Moss takes over and fills in when the grass dies out. You can add to the look by adding stepping stones, boulders or even some shrubs like nandina around the edge of the lawn to make it look like a Japanese style garden with a moss lawn. You can harvest moss from other lawns to add to your lawn area but keep in mind the moss that grows on trees and sidewalks is not the same moss that is growing in your lawn. The best time of year to remove any grassy patches that do not die and replace with more moss patches is in early spring when the weather is very damp.
Keep growing,
Marianne Binetti
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