A moss lawn offers a visually striking, low-maintenance alternative to traditional turfgrass, providing a soft, velvety texture that stays green throughout the year. This groundcover thrives in conditions where grass often struggles, particularly in shady areas with acidic soil. Establishing a moss lawn eliminates the need for mowing, fertilizers, and extensive irrigation, making it a desirable choice for sustainable landscaping. The process involves selecting the appropriate moss species, calculating the necessary quantity, and applying it correctly for successful establishment.
Identifying Suitable Moss Types for Lawns
Mosses are generally categorized into two primary growth forms, and understanding this difference is important for selecting the right species for a lawn application. Acrocarpous mosses grow upright in dense, mounding clumps, creating a cushion-like appearance. These varieties, such as Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum) or Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune), are slower-growing and are generally better suited for accent areas or defining borders rather than large, flat expanses.
Pleurocarpous mosses, conversely, have a creeping growth habit, spreading horizontally to form flat, interwoven sheets or carpets. Species like Sheet Moss (Hypnum imponens) are the preferred choice for creating a cohesive, uniform moss lawn because they cover large areas more quickly. Pleurocarpous varieties also tend to tolerate light foot traffic more readily than their clump-forming counterparts once they are fully established. Both types generally prefer shaded conditions, though some species, like certain Bryum mosses, can handle more sunlight if moisture is consistent.
Commercial Sources for Purchasing Moss
The most reliable way to acquire moss for a large-scale lawn project is through specialized online moss nurseries. These vendors provide live moss in convenient formats like pre-grown mats or trays, offering a wider selection of species adapted for various climates. Purchasing from a specialist also increases the likelihood of receiving sustainably harvested or cultivated moss. These suppliers often offer bulk quantities, such as 50 to 1,000 square feet, catering directly to landscaping needs.
Local garden centers and retail nurseries provide a more immediate purchasing option, but their live moss selection is usually limited. They may stock common varieties suitable for patching or small installations, often sold in smaller bags or containers. For very large projects, specialized landscape suppliers may offer bulk quantities of sheet moss or moss fragments at a lower per-square-foot cost.
When sourcing, verify that the supplier guarantees the moss is live and healthy upon arrival, especially when ordering online. Some vendors offer a “moss milkshake” kit—a mix of moss fragments, buttermilk, and water—designed to be spread over a large area. This slurry method is less expensive than buying full mats but requires a significantly longer establishment period. Always choose moss species native or closely adapted to your region, as they will have the highest long-term survival rate.
Calculating the Amount of Moss Needed
Calculating the required amount of moss depends entirely on the purchasing format and application method. When buying pre-grown mats or sheets, the calculation is straightforward: measure the total square footage of the area you intend to cover. For instance, a 10-foot by 20-foot area requires 200 square feet of sheet moss for full, immediate coverage.
Moss is commonly sold in units of square feet, often in trays or mats that are 10 inches by 20 inches, or in bulk boxes containing a specific square footage. If you are using the more economical method of spreading moss fragments or a slurry, you can purchase less moss for the same area. A common guideline suggests that a specific volume of fragments can be spread over an area up to 10 times its size, allowing the moss to colonize and fill in the gaps over time. For example, a bulk bag designed to cover 10 square feet as a solid mat might be sufficient to fragment and scatter over 100 square feet of prepared soil.
It is practical to measure the length and width of the area and multiply these figures to determine the square footage needed for complete coverage, then adjust this number down if you plan to let the moss spread naturally. Rounding up slightly on your final calculation is recommended to account for trimming and any unexpected losses during the installation process.
Steps for Successful Moss Application
Successful moss application begins with thorough site preparation. First, remove all existing grass, weeds, and debris from the area to eliminate competition for light and moisture. Mosses prefer acidic soil, ideally with a pH range between 5.0 and 5.5, so a soil test should be performed, and amendments like elemental sulfur can be used to lower the pH if necessary.
Moss also thrives on compacted soil, which helps secure its delicate rhizoids, the root-like structures it uses for attachment. You can intentionally compact the soil by walking over the area or using a lawn roller before installation. If you are applying pre-grown mats, lay the pieces directly onto the prepared soil, pressing them firmly down to ensure complete contact.
Secure the moss sheets using landscape pins or lightweight netting, which prevents wind or animals from dislodging them during the initial establishment period. For a slurry application, simply spread the fragmented moss mixture evenly over the compacted soil surface. Immediately after installation, the moss must be watered daily for the first four to six weeks to remain consistently moist, allowing the rhizoids to anchor to the substrate. Once established, the moss lawn will require minimal watering, primarily during extended dry periods.