Something likes a chilly spring

Our northern-facing front yard has long been a haven for moss, particularly the parts of it that are in the shadow of the house for much of the day. Also, I've been slowly turning the grassier, less mossy parts of the yard into a flower bed. So I wasn't particularly surprised when I mowed the remaining lawn for the first time this year and observed that pretty much the whole of it is now a big bed of moss. Didn't even think twice.

Well, it turns out that moss loves the chilly, wet spring weather we've been having (the coldest April on record so far), which probably has something to do with how noticeable the take-over in the front yard has become. Also why the new flower bed itself is growing moss. And the front walk. And the front gutter. I'd check my own north side if I knew which side was which.

(Tip of the hat to wrdnrd, whose UW in the Media newsletter alerted me to this story because two UW professors are quoted in it.)