Wallhead explains how to grow moss garden for BDN article
Matthew Wallhead, an ornamental horticulture specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and environmental horticulture professor in the School of Food and Agriculture, spoke with the Bangor Daily News about how to grow a moss garden. “Nurseries and garden centers and lawn care professionals were once focused on eliminating moss,” Wallhead said. “Now, there’s more interest in native plants and eco-friendly landscapes.” Moss also helps sequester carbon, filter water and prevent erosion or damage from flooding, the article states. “Moss may tend to perform better in certain situations where other plants such as turf might not do as well,” Wallhead said. “It looks nice and it can add an interesting aspect to landscapes.” Wallhead’s tips for growing a moss garden include looking for shadier locations with more acidic soil. He also offered advice on how to collect, propagate and start growing moss. In general, a moss garden is a low-maintenance and beneficial addition to a yard, according to the BDN. “They tend to be very low maintenance and quite forgiving,” Wallhead said.