Here in the maritime Northwest, moss invades lawns.
However, we might just as reasonably look at it the other way. Lawn grasses mess up our beautiful, cushiony mosses. Lawns, like prairies, are not natural to this part of the world. Moss is. Surprised?
Elsewhere, rolling meadows happen naturally. Down past Portland, open savannahs pair grass with garry oaks. West of the mountains, this far north, there are very few places where native prairie ever existed.
Most of it is long lost to development. Most Northwestern lawns cover land that was once climax forest. Remove the trees and the ecology is changed, perhaps permanently. As an example, Scotland's forested hills were clearcut about a thousand years ago to feed a war. The land never recovered, and few people are even aware that trees once clothed those bare moors.
When the trees are gone, grass does fine. Lawn turf requires plenty of sun to grow well, especially where summers are naturally dry and winters are wet. The natural weather pattern of the Northwest throws many turf grasses off cycle, so they stay green all winter and turn dormancy-brown in summer drought.
Where many trees remain, lawns are not only impractical, but they can endanger the health of the trees and shrubs around them. Lawns need summer watering to stay green. Native and long established trees and shrubs can develop root rots if overwatered in summer. Not only that, but lawns need their blanket of tumbling tree leaves to be removed each fall. Soggy leaf piles can rot out grass during the long wet winter, leaving bald patches next summer.
As it happens, removing tree leaves from the base of the trees can alter the soil in a vital way. Woodland soil is fungally dominated. Like all healthy soils, it also contains plenty of bacteria, but the overall balance of woodland soil flora leans toward the fungal. Fungally dominated soils are ideal for growing trees and shrubs, and also good for woody stalked crops like corn.
Like annuals, perennials, and most vegetables, lawn grasses prefer bacterially dominated soils. Any good garden soil will include fungal biota, but bacteria will predominate. Thus, by making the yard tidy and keeping the lawn from smothering, we put the health of our trees and shrubs at risk.
In practical terms, consider this: If you have a shady, mossy lawn, instead of poisoning the moss (and not incidentally, much soil life as well), appreciate it. Pull out the grass and let the moss prevail.
For faster coverage, blend crumbled moss with buttermilk and brush this slurry over bare earth. Soon you'll have a luxuriant moss carpet.
Set a few sculptural rocks at pleasing angles. Plant ferns and spills of golden water grass, Hakonechloa macra "Aureola." Add rhododendrons like shapely little "Moonstone," dusky-leaved "Northern Starburst," or "Yak Angel," a diminutive shrub with fawn felted foliage and white flowers.
Now, instead of a sorry lawn, you have an artful Asian style moss garden. No mowing, watering, or fertilizing required. Contact Ann Lovejoy, 8959 Battle Point Drive NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
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