Recently, One Hundred Dollar a Month reader, Randi, sent in a question about my plans for the mossy areas in my backyard:
“Hey Mavis.
I live north of Seattle and love your blog. I am adding to my garden space this year. That lawn/moss patch in the back is prime for a salad garden I think since it doesn”t get a ton of sun due to the green belt. I’ve been watching with interest your staking of your new garden space. What will you use for the sides of the bed and what type of soil mix will you fill it with? I’m not sure if I should rip out the grass/moss or put down weed barrier fabric or even newspaper. Thanks for your gardening wisdom!
~Randi in Mukilteo”
For me, the moss is going to be kind of several step process. First, I plan on digging it up by hand. I want to use it in my spring baskets. I’ve already started trimming branches back to give the area more light. I plan to do a soil test. I think that will help me decide how I will need to amend the soil to grow it {I’m guessing based on moss’s preference, that it will be acidic}. Right now, I plan on planting my cold weather and root crops in my shaded areas and warmer crops, like tomatoes and beans on the back patio where I get more sun. The beauty of planting on my back patio, is that in containers, I have total control over the soil.
The real key to moss is preventing it. For now, you’ll probably have to dig it all up as a first line of defense, then you will have to work on prevention. The key to stopping moss is to create a less hospitable environment for it. Start, if possible by creating more light in the area {for example, trimming back branches, or removing trees that cause too much shade}. If that’s not possible, test the soil. Likely it is acidic and will need lime. It the area is wet, moss is in heaven. So, consider improving drainage. I know in Seattle that can be an infuriating battle.
If digging it up is just too monumental a task {especially if you have a large area to clear}, you can try covering it with newspaper, and then covering the newspaper with a mixture of fertilizer and lime. I have never tried this method, only heard of it, so I can’t really attest to it working or not. Meanwhile, winter might be your nemesis every year, if the area is wet and shady. That might just be a battle you’ll have to deal with, I am sorry to say.
I think you are spot on to create a lettuce garden in the spot. Lettuce is pretty darn forgiving about its environment.
I hope this helps, at least a bit. Do any of you have suggestions for Randi?
~Mavis
Katie says
I’d get rid of the grass and keep the moss! Granted, moss can be a home for bugs…but it’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less maintenance and cost than grass, is a gorgeous green color, and feels great underfoot. We got rid of all the grass off the front of our large city lot last year (now it’s all gardens, yay!), and just got rid of our backyard’s grass–we used grass killer and then mulched it using chipdrop.com. We are looking forward to giving our lawnmower away and expanding our gardens. We have dogs, so will be looking for some hardy groundcovers-which will include moss for the shady spots!
Michelle says
I have to say, I’m jealous! 2 years ago, my 4 kids and I went to a nearby swamp, bringing back over a hundred wheelbarrowfulls of moss. Yes, we actually filled the wheelbarrow piled high with moss and brought it back. I have great success with the lasagna layering, or sheet composting but don’t have a lot of resources. Upside down moss was a large part of my green layers. I also threw some in my compost pile. Having it grow between my raised beds was also nice since then I didn’t have to weed, mulch or cut grass. I can’t say moss contibuted much to the fertility of my beds, not like a bag of alfalfa or sod has, but, it did contribute to holding moisture and adding a little humus. It’s not great stuff, but better than the nothing I usually have!
Esther says
Digging and pulling up the moss is a back breaking, wet soggy muddy job. If possible, you can get around this by using some very friendly chickens! I have cleared large mossy and clover patches by simply placing chicken tractors over the area. Although they don’t eat the moss they love scratching in it and eating all the little bugs and worms in the wet soil. Their sharp claws scratch and dig for you and their poo does a nice job burning the leftover roots. You will find new large piles of moss everyday that you can pull out and add to your compost. If done now, the poo will have a chance to wash into the soil and fertilize it for your spring planting! Just turn the soil, add your amendments or more soil and compost and plant! Its a Win/Win all around.
Wynne says
We turned a mossy part of our yard back into grass by doing a soil test, treating with lime (several doses phased in over two years), overseeding with grass and clover, and using organic fertilizer. To turn it into a garden bed, I’d still do the soil test, which will tell you how much lime (and/or other amendments) you need. But you’ll build up better veg soil if you follow the advice above for building up your own soil in layers, lasagna bed style. My veg beds are a mix of topsoil/compost, other peoples’ lawn trimmings, old straw and leaves, upside down sod, and other organic material on top of a weed-blocking layer of wet cardboard and newspaper.
Mavis says
Love the advise! Thanks for taking the time to share!