How do I create a mossy lawn?

I have an area at the back of my garden, that is shaded and damp. It was previously very mossy and natural and I'm keen to get it back that way, as was churned up due to building works. It is now covered in top soil as you can see in photo 1. I am wondering the best approach to take, to avoid having a mud bath for a long time. I have a load of pine tree sawdust that I could put down, or should I wait and throw grass seed on it when temperature improves? Appreciate any suggestion? Thanks, Lisa

 

You can actually propagate moss and grow it like a thick carpet.

First, collect some good samples of it from places like damp shaded paving slabs or guttering.

Remove any weeds such as liverworts from the clumps and set them aside to dry out.

Once dry, blitz the moss clumps in a blender until it becomes almost like a powder - this mixture will contain the "seed" spores from which you can propagate the moss.

Sprinkle the powder mixture directly onto dampened soil or into trays filled with damp compost (you can even use one of those yellow dish cloths as the growing medium) and keep it damp over the germination and growing period.

 

Oh wow, amazing! I can easily do that, have lots of access to moss. Thanks for the tip!

 

If you run out just take a trip over to see me, I can supply you with a shedload as my lawn is about 99% moss.

 

The Japanese are the experts in moss gardening, they employ people to weed out the grass.
Just google Japan's moss gardens for amazing pictures.

 

That sounds pretty cool

 

Gardeners' World did a piece on a guy who propagated moss, he also installed moss gardens for people. It might be this one: BBC Two - Gardeners' World, 2024, Episode 32

 

So is mine. Currently worse than ever.

 

There are a couple of bonuses for having a moss lawn ( unintentional). It means you do not need to cut the lawn nearly as often and it is quite nice to walk on. To solve the issue I would need to remove the whole moss and grass area, lay down drainage pipes and presumably sharp sand or some other sharp drainage medium and the resow or re turf. As long as the area is vaguely green that will do me. I have enough to contend with without attempting to have the perfect lawn but good for those folk who work very hard at attempting to achieve one, not easy. The below is just some of my “ lawn”…… oh another bonus, the birds like pecking out moss for their nests. I knew there were a few good reason to just let things be other than being lazy!

 

More here

Moss Lawns And Other Alternative Lawns - GardenAdvice.co.uk.

 

You have a lovely garden @hailbopp, I’ve been admiring your trees and shrubs and didn’t notice the lawn .

 

Oh thank you,I am lucky to have wonderfully mature shrubs and trees, best to ignore the “ short meadow” it does not really justify being called a lawn