YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections→Moss

How To: Growing moss is not that difficult

April 03, 2006|LIZ MAPLES

Moss is one of the lowliest members of the plant kingdom. It is more than twice removed from its cousins, the more complex, vascular plants like the geranium or impatient.

Because it has no true root systems, moss just clings to the dirt hoping not to be stepped on, too much.

While many gardeners fertilize and coo over their annuals, they shun the moss, asking many an online forum how to kill it.

However, many are rediscovering the beauty of moss. Turning it not away, but into a supporting role on flower pots. Martha Stewart has been covering her terra cotta with moss patches, and so have the people at HGTV.

Here’s how to do it at home:

* Gather and crumble about 1 cup of moss. Then using a blender or a fork mash the moss with plain yogurt.

* Presoak the clay pot in water.

* Use a sponge brush to paint the moss-yogurt mixture on the terra cotta pot.

* Cover the pot with a plastic dish and put in a plastic dish with pebbles. This will help keep the moss pot moist. Store in a dark, cool place.

* When the moss-patch dries, spray it with buttermilk to keep it moist.

* After the moss has taken off, plant the pot with higher-level species like geraniums or impatients.

|

|

|