I led my first workshop yesterday! It was a Moss Graffiti Workshop for my guerrilla gardening group.

Following a brief slideshow and discussion about moss, graffiti, and moss graffiti, we made a yummy moss ‘starter’ (see the recipe after the jump). I had planned on brainstorming potential tags and artwork ideas, but everyone was raring to go and apply the frothy green mixture, so we just fanned out in small groups and pretended we were hooligans.

The moss starter goes on pretty much clear; in the top photo, Tim is simply embellishing someone else’s handiwork.

Highly recommended project – I can’t wait to see how all our designs turn out!



To make a quick moss starter, you’ll need:

One or two clumps (about a small handful) of moss

2 cups of buttermilk

2 cups of water (or beer)

1/2 tsp. sugar

a blender

container with lid

paintbrush

How to:

1. Crumble the moss into the blender – try to remove any pebbles or insects you find.

2. Add the sugar, buttermilk, water or beer, and blend at the lowest speed until it has the consistency of a milkshake (add more water if necessary).

3. Paint the mixture onto rocks, logs, pots or statuary, or simply pour it on the ground wherever you’d like your moss to grow.

OR: Create some living graffiti. Paint your chosen design on any shaded, damp vertical or horizontal surface. Porous, moisture-retentive surfaces work best (brick, wood, coarse concrete).

The moss starter method works best if it is kept moist until well-established. A twice-weekly misting with a spray bottle is ideal.