Author Archives: David Spain
Growing a Greener World
In June of 2012 Moss and Stone Gardens became the focus of a fantastic television series, Growing a Greener World. Hosted by Joe Lampl’ and broadcast nationally on PBS stations, GGWTV has become known for it’s appealling coverage of a … Continue reading
Love A Fair
One of my favorite movies is Love Affair from 1939 starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. It was remade as An Affair To Remember in 1957 with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant and again as Love Affair in 1994 with … Continue reading
A Rock’n Party!
This past weekend Moss and Stone Gardens had the honor to assist Helen Yoest with the hosting of the VIP party for the J. C. Raulston Arboretum, which was a wrap-up event for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Ruby … Continue reading
High Hopes
I spend a fair amount of time observing the small and tiny features in the landscape. I suppose that comes with the territory of being a moss gardener. To fully study mosses it is necessary to see them up … Continue reading
A day at the Beach
This past week I took a few days from my normal shady seclusion and spent some time in the sun at Holden beach. Located on the southeastern shoreline of North Carolina, Holden is a small island of about 3.4 square … Continue reading
When is the best time to plant moss?
Mosses are evergreen plants. They will grow year round as long as moisture and sunlight are available at the same time. Photosynthesis is possible even below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Mosses do not have a seasonal growth habit, instead their dormancy comes … Continue reading
Fungi Frolick
One of the pleasures my wife and I share, is strolling through the moss garden after rain showers have awakened the fungi. Spotting the colorful but brief visitors and admiring their presentation in the ocean of green mosses. When detected, I … Continue reading
Dividing and Fragmenting Mosses
The best way to propagate moss is by taking a larger piece and dividing it into smaller pieces, then transplanting them apart from one another and encouraging them to grow together. Once moss has covered a surface it will begin adding … Continue reading
Southern Living – My mossy roots
This month we are celebrating being featured in a little magazine you may have heard of…Southern Living! Be sure and check out “Roll Out the Green Carpet” (page 68 if you must know). This is especially gratifying … Continue reading
Harvesting Moss from Stone
Dear David, can moss be taken from rocks, even if frozen during the winter? Thanks for your help, Tom. Dear Tom, your question is not so simple to answer. Mosses have a natural anti-freeze that allows them to survive … Continue reading