Enjoying Winter Moss

When the rains come here in the San Francisco Bay Area, our mossy yard comes alive in shades of green. Years ago our lawn of grass became a lawn of moss. For most of the year, the ground covering appears brown and dry. With the winter rains, even a small quantity of moisture restores the green. 

Mosses are nonvascular plants in the Bryophyta family of land plants. They are small, herbaceous, and absorb moisture through leaves and stems. They use photosynthesis to produce nutrients, and reproduce through spores. Many prefer shade and acidic soil. They require moisture to reproduce, but can survive desiccation for months.

Mossy "lawn" after winter rains

I've reported on the moss in our garden over the years (see Winter Moss, Moss, and Mushrooms), especially in years with plenty of rain. I've also enjoyed seeing moss in other gardens such as Butchart Japanese Garden, Seattle Chinese Garden, and Glacier Gardens. I haven't started to identify them yet, but I can see the differences in species that appear on the wood, concrete, and plants on the property.

Mossy path

My one regret with our soil restoration project, is that the moss "lawn" is being covered with a layer of wood chips. I take the long view on this situation, because it will ultimately result in healthier soil, with less compaction and more moisture retention. And I wouldn't be surprised if some moss finds its way to the top of the wood chip layer over time, to make a winter appearance after the rains!