GardenDC Podcast Episode 132: Moss Gardening

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Annie Martin of Mountain Moss all about gardening with moss. The plant profile is on Orange Cosmos and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with Kim Roman of Square Foot Gardening 4 U, who shares the Last Word on Culinary Herbs.

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Show Notes: 01:15 Meet Annie Martin of Mountain Moss. 01:54 You don’t need a green thumb for moss. 04:42 “I have to admit, I’m just a mosser.” 07:20 Moss is immune to the cold! 08:56 Deer won’t pass through and feast on your moss garden. 09:49 “It could be a delicacy for someone today if they wanted to.” 10:30 Annie’s passion is to rescue moss from areas where it will be destroyed. 11:21 “If you’ve ever been in the South, that sounds a whole lot like a cuss word to me.” 12:39 Unethically and illegally harvested moss. 14:01 How to rescue moss. 15:29 Roof shingles aren’t damaged after Annie removes moss colonies. 16:35 What conditions do mosses need to be in after being rescued from the roof? 19:36 Rooftop mosses are exposed to the harshest conditions and still survive. 21:33 All about the benefits of moss! 21:49 “Part of the reason we create these landscapes is to make our hearts smile.” 22:07 Mosses watched the dinosaurs come and go. 24:38 Environmental benefits of moss. 26:06 Peatlands are being destroyed. 27:16 Moss lawns are better. It’s a fact. 30:00 Mosses eat through their leaves, not roots. 31:25 “They have sex better when they have water too.” 33:07 How is it even possible that moss survived Clorox? 34:15 All about Hedwigia Ciliata Moss. 35:58 Moss reproduction. 38:23 Since moss is slow growing, how do you convert to a moss lawn? 41:45 Choosing moss species based on microclimates. 43:55 Wait, I’m supposed to plant moss on the coldest days? 47:42 You don’t have to blend up your moss. 51:57 The three Ws: Water, Walking, and Weeding. 54:06 Moss doesn’t care about the nutrients in the soil. 54:40 Supplemental watering is the key to success. 55:55 Walk on, sit on, and hammer your moss. 56:38 Annie karaoke. 57:42 Keep debris off your moss. 58:26 Critter damage: how to fix it. 1:00:25 Critter deterrents. 1:03:03 Orange Cosmos: this week's Plant Profile! 1:04:59 Garden updates: Winter Jasmine and Oregon Grape Mahonia 1:05:41 Upcoming events: Photo contest, seed exchanges, book club meeting, spotted lantern fly, winter tree ID walk, learn to grow and use a dozen herbs. 1:09:27 “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz. 1:10:37 “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight

1:11:36 The Last Word on Culinary Herbs from Kim Roman.

Annie is the author of The Magical World of Moss Gardening. (This is an Amazon affiliate link.)

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 130: Groundcovers versus Ground Covers

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-130.html

This episode is archived at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Moss-Gardening-e1t6hf4

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Episode Credits:

Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Show Notes: Jessica Harden

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Kokedama (Moss Ball) Workshop: Make a Living Moss Ball

Join us for a stress-free, creative green break during the bleak winter season. We'll gather at the Catylator Makerspace in the basement level of the World Building in downtown Silver Spring, MD.

We will be making a Kokedama moss ball with a living fern inside of it. All materials are included as well as care instructions to keep your Kokedama happy and thriving.

No prior gardening experience required -- beginners welcome! Must be 10 years old and over to attend.

Light refreshments will be served.

Catylator Makerspace is located in the iconic World Building in downtown Silver Spring Md at 8121 Georgia Ave, Suite LL1. It's a 10 minute (0.4 mi) walk from the Silver Spring Metro stop on the Red Line. Parking is available in the county garage on Fenton and Silver Spring Avenue (free on weekends).

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DIY: Kokedama

By India Hamilton

Kokedama is a Japanese term meaning “moss ball.” After reviewing Miniature Moss Gardens, written by Japanese authors Megumi Oshima and Hideshi Kimura, Washington Gardener decided to try out one of the many projects included in the book. You can find our review of the rest of the book in the March 2017 edition. Check out our easy tutorial for kokedama planters below.

Level: Beginner

Cost: Minimal

Use: Decorative

Time: Approximately 10 minutes for preparation and 15 minutes for assembly

Materials

• Soil
• Sheet moss
• Sphagnum or Spanish moss
• Garden soil
• A small, rooted cutting of a flower or small indoor plant
• Waxed string or floral wire
• Small garden scissors or wire cutters
• Water
• Mixing bowl
• Small plant pots and/or “s” hooks for hanging

Step 1: Soak peat moss in water to allow it to become pliable.

Step 2: Intermix your Spanish moss with moist soil at a 1-to-3 ratio, respectively, to create a ball that will be at the center of your kokedama planter.

Step 3: Create an indentation in the center of the soil ball that extends about one-third of the way into the soil ball and place your plant cutting inside.

Step 4: Take pieces of sheet moss and, after wringing out any excess water, wrap the peat moss around the soil ball until it is completely covered.

Step 5: Secure the peat moss to the soil ball by twisting and tying the string or wire tightly around the ball.

Step 6: To display, place the kokedama ball on top of a plant pot or use more wire to attach to the ball and hang it using an “s” hook. Place in a window.

Care: About once a week, or whenever you notice it start to dry out, place the entire ball in a bowl of water and let it soak for 10 minutes. Then squeeze out the excess water and let it drop over a sink, before returning it to its display spot.

About the author:

India Hamilton is a junior multi-platform journalism major and black women’s studies minor at the University of Maryland, College Park. She copy edits and writes feature and event pieces for the online publication, Pulsefeedz. This winter/spring, she is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener Magazine.

This is a monthly blog series on DIY projects for the beginning home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

DIY: Easy Moss Wreath

Guest blog by Gaby Galvin 

While wreaths look complicated, they’re actually quite simple to make. Follow these quick steps and make your own moss wreath, using foliage from your own garden and yard. This moss wreath can be used for winter holiday decor and beyond.
 

Supplies:

Straw wreath

Pincushion moss (grows in dense clumps in moist yards)

Sheet moss (grows in carpet-like mats in moist, shady yards)

Glue gun

Floral pins

Ribbon

Embellishments from your garden (shown here with ferns)

Instructions:

1. Brush dirt off your moss with a chip brush, making sure not to tear it too much.
2. Use floral pins to attach the pincushion moss to the straw wreath. Handle it carefully and use it generously so it looks full and plump. Cover most of the wreath this way.
3. Fill any ridges in the wreath with sheet moss. Make sure you aren’t using any dried-up pieces. Use a glue gun to keep it down, covering the floral pins.
4. Add embellishments as you like, including inserting live plant material. Tie a ribbon at the top of the wreath, if desired.

This easy-to-make wreath can last for several months depending on how well you care for it. I recommend hanging it outside on a front door or on a fence, so you can easily water it with no mess. It is important to water the wreath if you want it to last a long time as sheet moss can dry out if you don’t! Happy New Year!
About the author:

Gaby Galvin is a Washington Gardener Magazine summer 2015 intern who is studying multiplatform journalism at the University of Maryland. She does some gardening at home in Davidsonville, MD, with her mother and grandparents. 

 
This is the last post in this blog series on DIY projects for the home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

 

Video Wednesday: How to Make a Moss Container Garden

A Moss Container Garden is a super-easy project and you can do it anytime of year. It is especially a nice garden to create with little ones. They can notice all the different kinds of moss that grows when out on an early winter's walk.

Watch this short instructional video and then make it with some moss, found objects, and your imagination.

The moss garden can be kept indoors or out. You can take it apart after you have enjoyed it and return the moss to where you found it or add the moss to your own garden.

If you make one, please take a photo and share a link to your picture in the comments section. I'd love to see your finished projects.