Is A Moss Lawn The Right Option For Your Yard?

If you're looking for a stunning lawn alternative to grass, moss is a great choice to consider. This unique plant can help you achieve a green lawn without the high-maintenance requirements that grass demands. It doesn't need irrigation or fertilizer and you won't need to mow it. Moss also doesn't draw pests to it in the same way that grass does. 

Moss does require certain conditions to grow well, however. The plant is ideally grown in a yard with acidic soil and plenty of shade and moisture. Test your soil first before growing moss. Full sun can dry it out, so if it's too sunny, it won't last for long.  Moss prefers to have soil between 5.0 and 6.0 pH. If moss is already growing in your lawn, it's a sign that your lawn is acidic, but you may need to alter the soil pH if necessary to get it to the right level. Moss also needs plenty of moisture, but the soil should be well-draining. If water is stagnant or if you add too much, it won't survive.

Remember that even if the conditions for growing moss in your yard are good, there are both pros and cons to keeping a moss lawn. While moss can look great and is easy to maintain, its strength and durability isn't too impressive. In addition to not growing well in less-than-ideal conditions, moss probably won't last if you have kids and pets running around the yard. Letting leaves and other debris pile up in the yard can damage it. Adding moss to a yard is also more expensive compared to growing a lawn from grass seed.

If conditions are right and you want to grow moss in your lawn, first, choose a type. Moss species fall under two primary categories: acrocarps moss and pleurocarps moss. Acrocarps, which includes species such as springy turf moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus), is more tolerant of drought and grows in upright clumps. Pleurocarps, which includes species such as fern moss (Thuidium delicatulum), has an outward growth pattern and looks like carpet. This moss is better at resisting moisture and can grow in partial sunlight. Choose a species based on yard conditions and whether it's native to your area.

Before starting a moss lawn, remove grass and weeds from your yard. A shovel, sod cutter, or weed killer can help. Loosen up the top layer of soil using a rake. Next, buy small sections of moss online or from a local seller. Water the soil before laying the moss on the ground — there are no roots. Space moss sections out by a few inches and press them lightly into the soil before securing them with sticks, rocks, or another material. 

Once the moss is in place, water it with a hose or sprayer daily in the morning for about four to six weeks. In some cases, just two weeks will be enough for roots to take hold. Once established, moss usually doesn't need much water unless conditions are especially dry. You may also need to remove weeds if they appear. Once you have a moss lawn, be careful with it. Don't walk on it too much and get rid of any leaves or debris that appears.