ASK E D & A NSWE RE D
Kicking Grass to the Curb
If you’re tired of the care of a traditional lawn, consider new alternatives including moss. Our expert, Brian Hillman, owner of Hillman’s Landscape, LLC, says it’s not only possible but desirable for many modern homeowners.
Q. What is a moss yard and how do you care for it? A. Moss occurs naturally in a yard that is compacted from either tree roots or traffic, typically with a lot of shade or a pH issue.
Q. How would I convert to a moss lawn? A. If you’d like to convert grass to an all-moss
yard, which we have helped clients do, the best course of action is to conduct a pH test (best at 5.5 for moss growth) and make necessary adjustments to the soil. You would want to both kill the grass and dig it up and typically wait two weeks before planting anything else, moss included. Making a slurry with buttermilk can work to get moss started, but it does not always work especially for a large area.
Q. How do you care for a moss yard? A. The homeowner will need to water the moss lightly 2-3 times a day for 2-4 minutes during hot periods. But there’s no mowing involved. Sheet moss (Hypnum Cupressidorme) or fern moss (Thuidium delicatulum) works well as a yard replacement in the Greenville area.
Mondo grass, though it naturally forms clumps, will slowly knit together and provide attractive texture in mass.
