"gary davis" wrote in message
...
On 5/4/04 3:38 AM, in article ,
"Franz
Heymann" wrote:


"Ann" wrote in message
...

"Joe McElvenney" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have trouble with too much moss on some of my garden
walls and parts of the drive. I would like to control it
rather than eliminate it entirely as to me it has a certain
rustic charm when in the right place and quantity.

I use a power washer to get rid of moss\weeds on paths, drives
and
patios -
beats chemicals - quite a bit of work but the results are really
good.

That's all very well, but the moss comes right back during the
succeeding winter. In any case, you cannot get it off the soil in
the
beds that way.

I once spoke to anurseryman about it. He said that the moss was
an
indication of a poor soil. . For luck, I tried to put on more
fertiliser than I usually do, as the nurseryman advised. Result:
A
truly bumper crop of moss on all the beds.

Franz


I fortunately have a local source of chicken manure. It comes
mixed with
sawdust. It is dry but ripe! I get a load in the winter and just
throw it
all over my lawn...I can just see some of you cringing! Yes, it
does
stink...I call it farm fresh air!
I live in an area that gets lots of rain in the winter and the
rain
washes the manure into the ground and the grass grows over and
through it.
The odd clump of manure that doesn't break down I solve by putting
on my
West Coast cowboy boots (rubber boots) and boot (kick) the clumps
into
submission! The clumps of manure, once kicked, spread out and
eventually
disappear as the grass starts to grow in the spring.
I had moss growing strongly in one area and I put an extra
amount of
this sawdusty manure on that area. It looked terrible for a time but
now no
moss and the grass is growing green and well.
The nurseryman was probably right about poor soil but if there
is no
grass under the moss how can the grass take over and obliterate the
moss?

I have no lawns in my garden. The only grass I have is unwanted weeds
in the wrong places. I fight to get rid of that as well. The moss
infestation of which I speak is moss covering bare soil areas in my
flower and shrub beds, and a truly vast forest of it on my dry stone
walls.

I have heard that the only way (other than my way with stinky
sawdusty
manure) is to cover the moss with an inch + - of sand. This smothers
the
moss and any grass below will grow through the sand. The grass does
need
nutrients to grow strongly. (To ensure you have enough nutrients in
the
soil throw a big party. Supply free beer to all your male friends
and have
them....broadcast the end results in the chosen mossy area. Or a
slower, but
equally effective way, drink the beer yourself and follow the above
suggestion. It works...don't ask me how I know).

I will try giving my moss chicken pellets for lunch. I wonder whether
an infusion of that stuff, watered on the walls, will help.
Roll on a dry day so that I can try it out.

Franz