Are your boulders bald? Do they look too 'new'? Moss-covered rocks help to naturalize a water feature, by making it a look like it's always been there. Moss-covered rocks can be difficult, not too mention expensive to obtain, and most of us are too impatient to wait while they age gracefully on their own. You can speed up the process dramatically, by mixing up a batch of "moss mousse", and it to your stonework. It will speed grow moss on rocks, and much more predictably than Rogaine on a bald head.

Before you start, you'll need to gather some moss, and have some materials and equipment on hand.

You'll need:

2 cups of buttermilk (or yogurt)
4 ounces potter’s clay
Medium size bowl
Kitchen Blender
Fork
Moss (rinsed and free of dirt and gravel)
Paintbrush
Spray bottle
Laytex gloves

The potter's clay helps the mixture adher better, and keeps it moist longer. Look for it at art/craft supply stores, or a ceramic specialty shop.

Place the potter's clay into a medium size bowl, and break into small pea size pieces. Gradually work in 1 cup of buttermilk (or the yogurt) with your hands, or a fork until the mixture is homogenous. Add the remaining cup of buttermilk, mixing well as you add.

Now, pour the mixture into a blender, and add generous a handful of moss. Push the "puree" button, on and off, until the moss is macerated, and the mixture is smooth and creamy. You are now ready to apply the milkshake to your rocks, statuary, terra cotta or hypertufa.

Using your garden hose, or a spray bottle filled with water, pre-moisten the rocks. Next, spread a thin layer of the moss mousse over the rock, using a paintbrush, or a sponge brush.

Keep the rocks moist, with daily spritzing with a fine mist from your garden hose, or, from your spray bottle. Smaller pieces may be placed in a shady location, but must be kept damp. Misting hoses are available from home & garden centers, that could also be place around the pond edge.

Try this technique for "aging" terra cotta, statuary, or hypertufa troughs--anything porous. To grow moss on rocks, though, remember, they should be in partial to full shade. If in full sun, they must have a constant supply of moisture, such as those at the water line, or along a stream or waterfall.