Some gardeners hate it - other gardeners, like me, cannot get enough of it. What am I talking about? Moss. Moss is a simple little plant that does not have conventional roots, stems, or leaves. Moss is any species of the class 'Bryopsida' and is part of the division 'Bryophyta'. 'Bryophyta' means the first green land plants to develop during the evolutionary process. Moss is thought to have evolved from very primitive vascular plants. Dinosaurs may have munched their way through tons of it and it has been used by gardeners in ancient cities to supply the backdrop to many beautiful gardens, perhaps even in the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon'.

It is interesting that moss has not given rise to any other kind of plant.

Because moss does not have the traditional vascular structures of true leaves, stems, and roots, its growth is limited to moist locations. Moss is very hardy and grows almost anywhere, all over the world except under the sea and in the desert sands. Moss normally grows vertically and of little use to humans' apart from the use in gardening.

These are the ways that you can hurry up the process and help establish a beautiful green carpet over your garden rocks and concrete features. This method will not work on plastic, fibreglass, or artificial landscape rocks.

*First, you will need to buy some porcelain clay from a hobby shop. You can buy online at many hobby shops and that alleviates the need for shopping in crowded stores. One of the oldest established porcelain manufacturers in Victoria is walkerceramics.com.au I believe they have the finest clay.

*Secondly, you shall need a 250ml cup and a bowl, and a paintbrush.

*Thirdly, you will need some fish emulsion plant fertilizer. You can get this at nurseries, supermarkets, and garden centres. And most importantly, one cup of fresh finely shredded moss.(I have heaps of it and like to cultivate it for just this type of project). When you have the clay, stir a fist size piece into your bowl with 3 cups of water, and form a thin paste. Add one cup of undiluted fish emulsion to the paste and then lastly, the shredded moss well. Mix and paint it on your rocks and concrete objects with a paintbrush.

The Japanese have gardened with moss for centuries. Valued for its reduced need for watering, its greenness is considered to add a feeling of lushness and serenity to Japanese gardens. It looks particularly attractive around any Bon Sai. Even a newly potted plant, will look as though you have been tending to it for many years.