Shady Moss
Most botanists recommend chemical processes in the control of weeds. However, these methods have proven to cause harm to the environment and human health. A non-chemical weed control sounds like the best option here, and moss gardening is genuinely the right way to go! There are over 12,000 different moss species. Depending on the species, its lifespan is generally two to 10 years. Moss is a perfect pollution indicator in any area and is also beneficial in eliminating weeds. Moss growing in shade gardens is an efficient non-chemical method of fighting weeds.
Like bryophytes, Mosses have false leaves, stems, and roots. For this reason, they do not have a vascular system but can take in water and nutrients from the air. Moss gardening as a non-chemical weed control method is better off as it is less hazardous and requires little labor. Moss planting comes in handy in weed control as moss chokes the weed growth, which is a significant problem in many gardens and lawns as it competes with other beneficial plants for oxygen, light, space, and nutrients, thus impairing their growth.
Moss also cleans the environment by absorbing poisonous substances in the air
Moss is considered to have the best cleansing and oxygenating capabilities than any other plant. Growing moss is simple; shade, moisture, and soil are the only requirements for moss to grow at its optimum. Unlike other plants or weeds, they do not need fertilizer. Also, moss helps the soil retain water as they cover the soil, preventing direct sunlight and escaping moisture.
You must water your plants once in a while, and your moss will ensure no drop is lost. For these reasons, moss is economical to grow and beneficial for your shade garden. This has enabled moss to be favored over time by homeowners and business entities.
High density in moss enables them to resist weeds
They increase and form a thick covering on the ground, even preventing soil erosion because they hold the topsoil together. Have you ever walked in a wet area and stepped on a soft spongy surface? That was probably moss growing. With this vast covering of moss, you are assured of safely walking in a damp area without snacking.
Most enthusiasts agree that removing weeds from your garden without killing the moss is relatively easy. Some herbicides are designed only to kill the weeds but preserve the moss. Gardeners can use Glyphosate-containing herbicides to kill weeds growing in the moss. When applied to the leaves of the growing plants, glyphosate kills both grass and broad-leaf plants. It is absorbed through the leaves and travels through the plant's vascular system, killing leaves, stems, and roots. Glyphosates kill weeds and not moss due to moss not having a vascular system.
If you are concerned about discoloring the mosses with the weed herbicides, you can use a newspaper to cover them while exposing the weed leaves. You wouldn't want to lose that beautiful green color on your moss. The good thing is that even after the moss dries up, it's still helpful to your garden of shade as it can be used for mulching.
This profound knowledge of how to use moss in taming weeds is indispensable. You will now be able to kill weeds while sparing the moss, as it helps control the weeds.
