This easy-to-tend ground cover forms the foundation of a sculpted woodland retreat
When my wife and I first pulled up to what was then a sectioned - off patch of heavilywoodedland , I said , “ This is it ! ” She look at me and said , “ Huh ? It looks like an overgrown forest . ” “ Exactly , ” I said , and the more I look at the lot , located on a steep hill overlooking a creek , the more I daydream . I envisioned strolling down paths that weave around trees , rocks , and body of water . I wanted alush gardenthat wouldtransport usfar from day - to - day demands . I chop-chop realized I would n’t be able to have a traditional lawn beneath this thick canopy , but one mean solar day , as I was clearing the last bits of brush by handwriting , I realized I was overlooking an appealing option right under my foot — moss . Already growing throughout the site , it was free and barefoot - friendly to boot .
I ’ve since discovered that moss pop the question other rewards . It stays mostly green , even during Missouri ’s cold and drearywinters . And it requires minimum upkeep — a little watering during ironic tour and weed now and then by hand or with a string trimmer .
Clearing the site leads to discoveries
The evolution of my moss garden was gradual . I had already design and built several Japaneserock garden , so I had that way in mind as I began taming this obtuse woodland of second - growth trees and bramble . I cut trees less than 2 inches in diam moneyed to the ground . Because of my garden ’s extortionate slope ( 15- to 20 - degree grade ) , I left the ascendant intact to help push erosion .
As I leveled off areas among the rest trees for pedestrian employment , I came to realize that ourheavy cadaver - establish soilwas good for something after all — land sculpting . Using a shovel , I poke out sections of grease , try not to duplicate any angles or curve , so that the contours would appear as naturalistic as possible . These sculpted land formations became the perfect way to design a landscape painting with dramatic natural features .
I used the high - press stream of water from a garden hosepipe to remove any unnatural - looking mark left by the shovel , which also created a weather look . I used the same method to chip at small details such as undercut and runnel . Usingpruningshears , I removed any small roots exposed by the process .
To create further interest , I bring out origin of some of the larger trees , being careful not to damage them . The exhibit roots soon evolve an interesting anatomy of barque for protection against the element .
To continue the theme of a Japanese - inspired garden , I include an element of water . I simply ran an cloak-and-dagger organization of PVC pipe from my family to the highest period of the streambed . I just change state it on whenever I want to love the sound and sight of a slowly - trickling stream .
Moss ties it all together
I boost moss to produce on the bare territory of my freshly carved J. J. Hill and valleys by transplant it there . Taking moss from shoes where it was abundant , I used a flat spatula to scoop up sections just below the root line . Then I tore off low pieces about the sizing of a nickel and pat them firmly onto their unexampled domicile , placing the patches about an inch asunder . Within weeks , the bare region between patch meet in with moss . Keeping the moss moist while it was getting established was helpful .
Since I had trouble finding books that deal with the practicalcare of moss , I gained most of my noesis about moss gardening through trial and error , and I do intend mistake . For example , I first thought the ultimate apparatus would be an automatic sprinkler to mist the moss for five proceedings every hour , around the clock . It did n’t take long before I was browning out large area of moss . That ’s because moss naturally tends to pen up up its foliage during the day when it ’s wry and sunny to protect its flimsy leaves , which are only one prison cell thickheaded . When moss is wet , it opens its leaves to engross the moisture , so if the sun is out the folio can dry out out and burn . I found it ’s best to irrigate moss in the even and only if it has n’t rained for several mean solar day .
I ’ve learned that the salutary direction to advance moss growth is through grooming . Getting rid of grass , weeds , and fallen twigs and leaves makes it well-to-do for the moss to halt its own . Idon’t employ any chemical substance , because I do n’t love what long - term effects they might have on the moss . Weather permit , I enjoy drop a tranquil 15 or 20 minutes in the morning “ detailing ” a modest surgical incision of the garden . Weeds are most likely to tender rivalry in areas where the moss is new and lean . If weeds get particularly lumbering , as they sometimes do in spring before the leafy canopy fill up in , I twist the strand trimmer on and lease it laze , allowing the cord to light skim across the moss , cutting off the widow’s weeds but go out the moss unharmed . In the fall , I apply an electric blower to remove fallen folio .
Complement moss with subtle plantings
After I ’d finished clearing , domain sculpting , and promote moss increase , I focused on adding more plants , mostlyshade - loverslike hollies and fern , along with deciduous Nipponese maples . To add to the site ’s atmosphere , I brought in more than 7,000 pounding of stone . I coiffure many of the rocks to look like natural outcrops throughout the garden . I also used stone for step ( photos , below ) and along edges of the gullies I had lined with crushed crushed rock , also known as ambuscade rock . As for garden ornament , I want to keep things unsubdivided . I included a single bench made of naturally hued limestone blocks and a 7 - foundation granite bridge The latter is a reclaimed section of a St. Louis street curb . One of the best things about this garden is that it put up a smell of refuge . Even when I view it from indoors , everyday tribulations seem to slip away .
Moss takes advantage of a shaded site
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Sculpt a natural look. The author’s dense clay soil made it possible to carve enduring natural features, such as small hills and valleys.
Sculpt a natural look. The author’s dense clay soil made it possible to carve enduring natural features, such as small hills and valleys.
The author maintains his moss garden by removing weeds a little at a time by hand.
The author also carefully exposed the roots of some large trees. He used the high-pressure stream of a garden hose to soften any shovel marks.
Include a water element. A simple stream of water enhances the tranquil mood of this shaded retreat.
The author installed an underground system of PVC pipe from the house to the highest point of the streambeds. The trickling water flows into a watershed.
The author used stone throughout his sloping site as naturalistic walls, shelves, steps, and stepping stones.
Integrate stone and moss.
