I grow all my semps outdoors in raised beds. The top 4" of the beds are bank-run road gravel - no additives. I'm seeing the beginnings of problems with moss growths and have had no luck controlling it.

I'd love to have suggestions beyond hand-picking it out. That's what I've been doing and it's abominably labor-intensive and only somewhat effective.



Kate, I'm adding a photo to your post so it will have a thumbnail showing in the list of threads. If you have another photo you would rather have let me know, it's easy to change. Valleylynn : )

I haven't heard of any "home remedies", but there are a few products on the market to kill moss. Garden's Alive makes an "environmentally responsible" one that can be brushed on. It's safe for use in gardens.
http://www.gardensalive.com/pr....

Bayer also makes one: http://www.bayeradvanced.com/l.... Not sure if this can be used in the garden.....

Just moved this to the Helpful Hints Forum Linda. : ) It will be easier to find. Do you have a photo you can put in your first post?

This year because of the months of nonstop rain, we have moss everywhere. That is suppose to be lawn surrounding the Helianthemum (Rock Rose) and has always been lawn up until this year. : (

Must be a bad year for it. I have spots of it in my perennials gardens where I've never seen it before too. Maybe it's a new strain of "super moss".

For us it is the months of rain we've had. Moss every where.

You guys could make a mint fortune aging hypertufa and other pots and statuary there!

I never thought of that. : )

Is it a good mix? Will the moss choke the chicks? I've noticed in most photos, there is decorative stone or bare soil around the hens.

Woodthrush, not sure how I missed this thread, but here I am finally. : )
Love the plantings in the rocks. Not sure about all the micro climate conditions this is in. If not enough sun the semps will more than likely kind of peter out. If they are getting enough sun they should do very well. You can improve their chances by putting chicken grit or pea gravel around the base of the rosettes to assure good drainage. How long have they been growing in that spot? The moss is lovely, but if the moss is doing very well it may mean in the long haul it might not be the greatest for the semps. However many of the sedum will grow well with the moss. : )

They have been there 5 years or more. Crevice in the top photo especially seems to have lost soil, so I may add more and replant. We have had so much rain this year, moss is growing in many new areas. I kind of thought too, that the moss might hold too much moisture in the soil.

As soon as the weather warms up the moss will die back or slow down. : )
We are having the same problem here this year. Some of my containers have moss growing in them, the cement walled planters out front are covered in moss this year.

Very pretty Woodthrush! Moss must be a problem everywhere this year. I have it growing where it never did before too.

I love the look of moss on the rocks and pavers, but hubby does not.
The ground is just soggy here. It can't take any more water!

Same here with the soggy woodthrush. : ( I notice yesterday while weeding the raised semp beds that even with them being in full sun/or lack of, that moss is starting to grow on the soil and gravel. Next three days are rain and possible thunder showers. Friday starts a warming and drying trend.

Chris do you see anything familiar in this photo of S. arach x montanum Hausmanii?

Is that a goldfinch feather? Wow, I knew I lost one but I'm surprised it blew that far away!

I was so excited to see you had been here for a short visit.
You should have come in for some refreshments.

lol - she did fly off with any semps?

Oh my goodness, I didn't even think to look. Don't need to, our goldfinch wouldn't carry off semps.

woodthrush said:lol - she did fly off with any semps?

If I would've had more time, maybe!

I am now finding that since the warmer, drier weather is here, that the moss has disappeared. All is well with no treatment necessary.