Is moss a bad idea?

[AlmostCutMyHairToday]

Recently installed some moss to cover a very bare corner of the lawn. Grass seems to struggle to grow in that corner, it's pretty wet and it only gets sun first thing in the morning, so thought moss would be an easy solution. Was going to have some Thalictrum growing out of it too.

However, I'm now wondering if it's a bad idea - will it attract pests / gnats / fungus? I noticed quite a few pesky flies in the garden today, which I hadn't noticed before. Also, the lawn is pretty wet so by covering a part of it will it retain even more moisture?

Has anyone done something similar with moss and had good / bad results?

No but then Japanese have a thing for moss gardens. Give them a google. They're beautiful. We visited Saiho-ji, and it was pretty much the most remarkable thing I've ever seen.

I think it’s fine and I don’t think it will attract flies or anything like that. Fungi are fascinating too and don’t really deserve the demonisation they get IMO.
Go for it and make a feature of it!

Agree. Japanese gardeners use a lot of moss. I once saw a tv programme of somebody going round a huge mossy area on their hands and knees, pulling out errant little weeds with tweezers.

Living in the damp north west in a wooded area, moss is my nemesis. I appreciate a Japanese garden, but ideally from afar. All I can say is the best of luck.

i love it! prefer it to a lawn.

Lovely OP!

Thanks all! The moss is staying for now, will plant a little thalictrum in the middle and see how it all fares in the summer. I do love the Japanese moss gardens. Maybe I'll end up meditatively brushing fallen leaves off the moss lol