How to encourage wild moss?

Question

When reading about how to plant and maintain a healthy moss garden, keeping it clear of leaves, twigs, and grass growth are important. Would this be true in the true north woods (wild) moss garden? Would my moss covered rocks, etc. be improved by cleaning it out a bit? My friend says it’s ridiculous to “rake” the forest, but I say improvement can be enhanced with tender loving care.

Answer 1

One big difference between a garden and a wild forest or field is the tending that goes into it. Have you seen pictures of the beautiful old moss gardens in Japan? If you have a space that you want to keep clear, add a bit of fertilizer, move a plant in or out now and then, pick up dead stuff — then it becomes your garden instead of a wild wood. And a wondrous one, I’ll bet. I don’t know if you’ve read our articles on moss, so in case you haven’t, here’s the link: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/