Stories We Tell

March 18, 2022

Lush with Moss

Author: Yukari Matsumoto

Reading time:3min

Hi, there.

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As the day goes by, the sunshine gets brighter. In my region, a heavy coat is no longer needed outside. It’s a bit chilly in the morning and evening, but it gets so hot during the day that we sometimes sweat while working. Although I need to adjust to changes in the temperature, I’m so delighted that the clear and mild spring days have come. There is a Japanese andromeda in our yard, and Japanese white-eyes are coming to drink nectar, which is so cute and makes me feel at peace every day.

Taking Care of Moss Requires a Patient Gardener

We got a new light for a moss pathway which we take care of regularly. This light will help mosses carry out photosynthesis in areas where they can’t get enough sunlight.

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Mosses don’t grow properly unless the environment has a good balance of moisture and sunlight. However, too much sun exposure will allow them to get sunburned and turn brown, or they will die because of the dryness. They need gentle light, like the sunlight shining through trees, but not dazzling light. We did trial and error many times to grow mosses here. After discussing how we could grow them successfully, we decided to use this light in the end.

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Rather than just replanting new mosses when they fail to grow, we try to create an environment that allows mosses to grow naturally on their own. This is because we aim to create a garden that is close to nature. We always like to deliver a garden where you can feel the flow of time, but not a garden that looks artificial and unnatural. So, creating a suitable environment for plants is crucial.

I strive to create a garden that gets better with age so that people will find value in it and enjoy their garden for a long time.