Something likes a chilly spring

[randy_byers]

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.)

Comments

[wrdnrd]

It really is amazing just how much i know about local politics and national news just because a UW expert is quoted. Have you been keeping up with Ali Tarhouni, for example? This Seattle Times article has been my favorite so far, because it shows what a complete shock this was to so many people who knew him, and he'd taught here for 26 years! The story of his sneaking into Misrata was just amazing.

I am getting super frustrated waiting for my lilac to bloom. So full of buds, and no blooms yet!! Stupid weather! And i hate to break it to the moss growing in my strawberry boxes, but it just can't stay.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Wow. No, I hadn't heard about Tarhouni. Facinating! Helps to put a face on the Libyan opposition movement, for sure, and a friendly face at that. I also didn't know that Jim McDermott supported the no-fly zone, which I wouldn't have guessed.

My little lilac is ready to burst. The guy at the nursery on Sunday said it just needs some warm weather to encourage it.

[janetl.livejournal.com]

If moss is doing better than grass, then it's time to move on to a shade garden. Hydrangeas, epimediums, hostas, hardy fuchsias, ferns... Much more fun than lawn, and less work.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind getting rid of the rest of the lawn over the long run, so a shade garden is something I'll keep in mind. Maybe I could just go for a moss garden.

[janetl.livejournal.com]

Portland's Japanese Garden uses moss beautifully.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

I've seen some great moss gardens, including the one in Portland's Japanese Garden, although that was many years ago. Not as long ago as the one I saw in Japan in 1968 when I was seven, although what I remember more from that trip was the guy raking the sand in the rock garden.

And now I'm filled with a great longing to visit the Japanese Garden in the Arboretum up here.