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Episode #18.... Wall to Wall Carpeting

Willy's Place » The Further Misadventures of Wild Willy
by Wild Willy on February 14, 2005 10:43 PM
The further misadventures of Wild Willy, the Hillbilly Gardener

Episode #18... Wall to Wall Carpeting

When I first started to build Hummingbird House I had no real plan for the end result, everything just seemed to develop along the way.
One of the decisions I had to make was what kind of ground covering I would use. I considered using gravel or bark for their durability as a walking surface but they just seemed too un-natural for the setting.
Moss had taken over a large portion on one of my lawns, and since it was never fazed by foot traffic I decided to move it from the front lawn to the floor of Hummingbird House. My plan had one major flaw though... I assumed that since the moss was easily choking out my lawn, surely the grass wouldn't stand a chance when I was cultivating the moss! (That makes sense, doesn't it?)  -
WRONG!
The grass won! Go figure!
There was no way I was going to fight grass in there, so this past Fall I went to work replacing all the old lawn-moss with stepping stones and decorative mosses.

Over the winter, the moss has taken hold and is beginning to growing well!
Altogether, I laid 206 square feet of moss in the pathways and borders. I've identified at least 29 different mosses and lichens which now grow and thrive inside Hummingbird House, but I'm sure there will be more.

The Mosses and Lichens of Hummingbird House

Growing Decorative Mosses in Your Garden


A Carpet of Moss

There are twelve different species of plant life growing on this burl alone. Many of the stones also have colonies of mosses growing on them.

A Moss Covered Burl

There are a dozen species of ferns, several Primulas and Columbines, hardy Fuschias and assorted flowering vines growing with the mosses in Hummingbird House.

I can hardly wait for SPRING!!!!

by Cricket on February 15, 2005 04:24 AM
Hummingbird House is lovely, Bill! That burl is AWESOME! You know you're living in a healthy environment when lichens flourish.
by Jiffymouse on February 16, 2005 02:37 AM
[thumb] and when did you say you were going to come build my hummingbird house? [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [kissies]
by loz on February 16, 2005 05:17 AM
Hey Jiffy [wayey] , I know when Bill is coming to build your hummingbird house--right after he comes and does mine..... [Big Grin] [Razz] [Wink]

Great job Bill [clappy] --I love watching how your projects evolve from ideas, into tangible things......I'd be out there having my cup of coffee every morning....... [thumb]
by weezie13 on February 16, 2005 06:57 AM
I thought he said he was comin' to my house first! [grin] [lala] [Wink] [Big Grin] [Smile]

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

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http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/
by mike57 on February 16, 2005 01:20 PM
GREAT JOB BILL ATTA BOY TO YOU.very nice place you have there ive read all your articles in here.you live truly in gods country.you,ve got a beutfull place there.i think you inspire a lot of folks in here.i know you do me.thanks for shareing your place with us.your friend in gardening.mike57 [thumb]

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No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent.
by apples on February 25, 2005 03:12 PM
The moss looks amazing!
And that burl is coming in really good. It looks magical.

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The answers will come when needed. Otherwise, I'm guesing time will make me feel silly.
by Sue Z on March 09, 2005 08:25 PM
[flower] ONLY ELEVEN DAYS TILL SPRING! [flower] WOOHOOOOOO!!!!! [flower]

Sue z
LOVES
HUMMINGBIRD HOUSE! [thumb]
[wayey]

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"WHEN IN DOUBT ... DON'T"
by tkhooper on March 11, 2005 01:40 AM
When I lived on the Olympic Peninsula I had a very small solarium without screens. One day I heard a noise out there. And there was a brown hummingbird trying to get out. I was so afraid that he would injure himself I didn't know quite what to do. He fell behind a pot of chives and I placed a finger out for him to perch on like I used to with our parakeet when I was a child. I didn't hold out much hope, but he took hold and rested there until I could get him to the open window. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had.

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by Sue Z on March 11, 2005 05:49 AM
What a GREAT story, TK. [thumb]

Mind if I ask where your from in Virginia?

Just curious because I have in laws near Big

Stone Gap. [flower]

Sue Z [Wink]
[wayey]

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"WHEN IN DOUBT ... DON'T"
by tkhooper on March 11, 2005 01:53 PM
Hi,

I'm in Triangle, Virginia, which is to say I live right outside the gates of the Quantico Marine Corps Base.

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by Sue Z on March 11, 2005 10:54 PM
Hello, my daughter use to live in Norfolk when her hubby was in the Navy there. [Smile]

Sue Z [muggs]
[wayey]

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"WHEN IN DOUBT ... DON'T"
by Fernie on June 12, 2005 07:29 AM
Hey there Wild W!

I love reading and rereading all the episodes but I was thinking before the new server was taking up such a huge amount of Unc Bill's time I heard a rumor there was going to be an episode 19?

Please, I want some more! [flower]

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by tkhooper on June 13, 2005 02:04 AM
Meeeeeeeeeeeee tooooooooooooooooooooo

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by afgreyparrot on June 22, 2005 12:57 PM
quote:
Hey there Wild W!

I love reading and rereading all the episodes but I was thinking before the new server was taking up such a huge amount of Unc Bill's time I heard a rumor there was going to be an episode 19?

Please, I want some more!
What happened to Wild Willy, anyway?
[dunno]

...and the episode 19 rumor? [nutz]

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!
by Sue Z on June 22, 2005 09:11 PM
LOL!

[dunno] I don't know where our wild Bill went

but I too yearn for another episode!!

WOOHOOOOOO!!!!! [thumb] [gabby]

Sue z
[muggs]
[wayey]

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"WHEN IN DOUBT ... DON'T"
by duckie on July 12, 2005 09:16 AM
cmon,cmon, *poke* poke*poke*

where's Willy [kissies]

I miss him.

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by Bill on July 12, 2005 10:44 AM
Willy retired...... [wayey]

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by duckie on July 12, 2005 11:07 AM
[tears] [tears] [tears]

So sad.........guess he got too old. [devil]

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by afgreyparrot on July 14, 2005 12:10 AM
Dear Bill...

[Frown]

Love,
Cindy

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!
by Sue Z on July 14, 2005 12:19 AM
"Willy retired......"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHUT?! WHUT?!!!!

OH NOOOOOOOOO, Mr. Bill!!!!!!!! :-(

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"WHEN IN DOUBT ... DON'T"
by duckie on July 14, 2005 10:34 AM
I'm sorry.

[Embarrassed] [Embarrassed] [Embarrassed] reeeeally bad form.

[Love] duckie

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by datazmom on March 08, 2007 03:52 PM
OOOO that is so cool . I love that . Keep up the good work .

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Successful gardening begins with trial and error and ends with dirty knees .
Happy Gardening !!!!!

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