DIY, Moss Winter Garden

129twigandvine_winter_garden

 

The days are lengthening, I can already tell. The chickens, who took a break from laying for a few weeks, are sharing an egg per day.

Around now the indoor greenery is keeping my spirits up. The tips of narcissus are reaching toward the ceiling, and the amaryllis has a fat bud that looks promising. Also green and thriving is the winter garden with moss and stones.

I gathered moss before the snow flew back in December and put this winter garden together. It was so easy to do and sustains my link to the dirt under all that snow. About once a week I take off the dome and spray the moss to keep it moist and green.

If you are able to find some woodland rocks on a south facing slope, you can still gather moss. Even with a ton of snow on the fields, I’ve seen some green spots peeking out here and there on my back-road drive to my parent’s house. I have plans to collect moss to surround the amaryllis bulb I mentioned.

Winter Garden

What you need:

  • a plate or container for a little soil and stones (moss only needs stone and a tiny bit of dirt and moisture to thrive)
  • glass dome (I found this at my local thrift store)
  • gathered moss—if you can find a few different varieties it adds to the interest of the garden. Some mosses will become cushioned and velvety. Others will send up little shoots like small antennae).
  • a small porcelain item can be a nice decorative touch, or a small cut branch with winterberry for some color.
  • spray bottle filled with water

Arrange your stones on a plate, or fill a container with stones and then soil. Moisten the soil. Top with several stones for the moss to grow over.

Collect your moss and blanket the stones and soil with the pieces. If your moss is in tiny pieces lay them together. They will fill in quickly as the moss grows.

Using the spray bottle thoroughly mist the top of the moss.

Add any decorative porcelain birds or small berry twigs now.

Place the dome on top. If condensation forms, prop the dome open a little with a utensil to allow some moisture to escape for about a day. You can leave the winter garden in the sunshine to help speed the drying. Then close the dome again to keep most of the moisture in.

Spray the moss about once a week. If it gets brown, don’t worry. Spray it and it will revive again in a few days.

15 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Kate Georgereply
January 13, 2013 at 10:07 pm

What a lovely idea. Wish I had a spot in the house where I could have some greenery. Perhaps when some of the smaller people leave home all the flat surfaces won’t be constantly covered in junk! (But then again, maybe not!)

Sue Schlabach 129twigandvinereply
January 14, 2013 at 9:12 am
– In reply to: Kate George

Hmm. That is a quandary. My single kid is a junk pile machine, so I think you have a much bigger battle at your house! Maybe a windowsill?

sonofwaltreply
January 14, 2013 at 3:11 am

I LOVE this idea, and while I’m feeling eager for spring so I can work on my tiny courtyard, this could be a fun little start to keep me occupied in the meantime. Thanks!

Sue Schlabach 129twigandvinereply
January 14, 2013 at 9:17 am
– In reply to: sonofwalt

Nothing like a little pot of moss to help you make it to spring! But that courtyard sounds lovely, and spring will come so much earlier in Pennsylvania….

Rachaelreply
January 14, 2013 at 4:36 am

Nice idea. My whole garden is a bit like this. 😉

Sue Schlabach 129twigandvinereply
January 14, 2013 at 9:18 am
– In reply to: Rachael

Ahh, a mossy English garden. I love the image that bring to mind!

blinddogmeganreply
January 14, 2013 at 11:28 am

I love this idea!

petasvintageblogreply
January 14, 2013 at 11:30 am

What a lovely idea! 🙂

Cristareply
January 14, 2013 at 6:58 pm

i love this. does it need to be kept in sunlight?

Sue Schlabach 129twigandvinereply
January 14, 2013 at 7:55 pm
– In reply to: Crista

No, sun isn’t needed. Moss is happiest out of full sun-just needs moisture to thrive.

Cristareply
January 14, 2013 at 8:26 pm
– In reply to: Sue Schlabach 129twigandvine

awesome! i can put these in our basement apartment! thanks.

homecreationseverydayreply
January 16, 2013 at 2:41 am

I like how you decorated the moss planters with the birdie. Very welcoming. Nice idea 🙂

lauriereply
January 16, 2013 at 10:45 am

wow! great idea and i can do this with my daughter over the weekend!

alexandramediatereply
January 22, 2013 at 1:15 am

Reblogged this on armediate and commented:
To do. ASAP.

thegreenspongereply
January 29, 2013 at 12:04 pm

Reblogged this on thegreensponge and commented:
Love this DIY tutorial and I love moss!! Thanks!

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