Thursday, February 8, 2018

First Week of February 2018

This first week of February was a dilly. Not a dilly dilly. More like the pit of misery. It has been colder than usual but we won't let that get us down. Soon warmer weather is bound to come in.  Despite the cold weathers I have been out and about in the garden. Not a lot I can do right now but I just can't stay inside all the time. The stepping stone below has given me the sign of the time. I have never noticed this before on this stone. It must have been very happy to have company.
The things I have noticed most are first of all the birds are giving me the signal that things are changing. They are tuning up for the time when their songs will fill the air.
Inside I have been reading the book Gathering Moss A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Robin is a scientist and a Native American. In her book about mosses she has really drawn me into that mossy world. I have learned a lot with her way of adding a human aspect to the way of looking at moss. 
The book sent me scurrying out into the garden to see if any moss was reacting to the sun that is pouring in despite the cold temperatures. Sure enough... this little bit of cushion moss is greening up. 
Also, on this stick that I brought home last year a little bit of moss is beginning to show. This is a different type of moss than the little cushion moss. See how it stands up. Now if I can just figure out what kind I have here I will be pleased.
I would like a nice crop of moss someplace in the garden. I think the little cushion moss that came in uninvited is showing me where to try this. 
Do  you have  a mossy area in your garden?

24 comments:

  1. You are correct. The moss that showed up in your garden was looking for the conditions you have. So, hopefully the patch will spread if critters do not bother it.

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    1. Where it looks happiest is along the sides of a path. I hope it isn't trampled out.

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  2. Hope spring eternal! Lovely photos of signs of spring lying dormant for now ~

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  3. It should be a very interesting book! I'll put it on my list. Thank you, Lisa!
    Moss is a part of my garden. I like it when it grows between stepping stones and garden decor. I gradually allow it to grow even on the lawn.

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  4. Tatyana, I hope you like the book as much as I. I don't have very much moss around here. I am not sure why. I hope to see more grow.

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  5. We have moss growing on the brick path heading into the back garden. There's an area where I'd like to have moss grow, but I'm afraid it's too dry.

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    1. Yes Jason, the atmosphere in general is too dry here to make much of a moss garden. I tend to let nature take it's course. I will be watching this area I wrote about.

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  6. It's such a delight to hear the bird choir tuning up! Because of our mild and wet winter climate, most of my garden is a mossy area.

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  7. I need to read that book on moss! Yes, each day brings us closer to spring. The birds have been very active here, too.

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  8. I have a lot of moss in the garden Lisa. Mainly the woodland area. I love it. Apparently you have to be careful with what you plant because of the soil type.
    Stick with what you have rather than bringing in a new species.
    I have a part moss path in the woodland area. I shall encourage that to spread and plants ferns and hopefully add some unusual pieces of wood. That's the theory anyway.
    Love your little pieces of moss......beautiful.

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    1. I also like to have wood for moss to grow on. They like certain woods best. I don't know a lot about it but I am wanting to learn.

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  9. Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day ~ xxx

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  10. Isn't Robin a wonderful writer?! I liked her book, "Braiding Sweetgrass," too. How fun that you have moss here and there--I find it fascinating, too. That's so nifty that the stepping stone is giving you love. :)

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    1. Hi Beth, Yes Robin is a good writer. I also have 'Braiding Sweetgrass'. I plan to read it soon. I dove right into the moss book first.

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  11. Hello Lisa girl and what a nice post you have here on moss !
    I love moss .. I encourage it in some places .. I have that and lichen growing on the drift wood .. you can't have a shady garden without some of this green jewel ... there are so many different kinds, I think I need a book on moss too ! Yours sounds really interesting .. I have such pleasant memories of moss in the woods I played in as a child, the forest was such a special place .. moss was amazing to me as a kid ! Celebrate the moss I say !LOL

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  12. Hi, Lisa!
    Interestingly to know more about moss, thank you!
    I actually have moss on the lawns, it damages the grass and the lawn doesn't look nice. I try to fight against but unsuccessfully.

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    1. Nadezda, it sounds like you need to embrace your moss. It is annoying when it grows where you don't want it. I haven't had that problem yet.

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  13. Dear Lisa,
    sorry to hear that you´re having very cold weather at the moment. We too had some snow last week, but now its milder again. Luckily this winter hasn´t been very cold in Austria. I really understand that you feel like going outside even if the weather is bad. I am too longing so much for spring. Reading garden books also helps me to get past the colder months of the year as well as doing some creative projects. Regarding your question, I actually don´t have a mossy area in my garden. However, the hospital I work at is surrounded by a woodland area and many varieties of moss are growing there. Almost the whole grounds are covered by moss. I love to use moss for decorating. I crafted some wreaths for my terrace and used moss to decorate them. I love it when planters are covered by moss. I always wish my pots to get mossy, but it´s rarely happening. I have heard that applying yoghurt to the pots encourages moss growing. I will try it.
    Hopefully you will have warmer weather soon, Lisa!
    Best wishes,
    Lisa

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    1. Hello Lisa, It is milder here today too. I have tried painting rocks and pots with buttermilk to encourage moss. I did have some moderate success. Maybe you should try it too.

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  14. Yesterday was the first day I actually looked at the garden a little--it's been so cold and icy that I haven't ventured past the driveway. I was actually hoping for some patches of snow so that I could sow some poppy seed, but I was too late. So believe it or not, I'm hoping for more snow before spring! I do see some moss occasionally growing outside my garden.

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