Moss-like plant growing in raised vegetable garden bed - Ask Extension
For several years now, the moss-like plant in these photos has grown in one of my many raised beds. The crop in the bed (this year, onions) seems to d...
Knowledgebase
Moss-like plant growing in raised vegetable garden bed #656400
Asked June 26, 2020, 12:53 PM EDT
For several years now, the moss-like plant in these photos has grown in one of my many raised beds. The crop in the bed (this year, onions) seems to do fine, but I'm always curious what this is and what it's trying to tell me about my soil, etc. It's very difficult to eradicate it (I scrape it off, it comes back). Any thoughts? This bed does receive full sun in the afternoons.
Berrien County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. That is Liverwort. It is often found in greenhouses, as they are the perfect environment for them. They spread by spores, which is why they keep coming back. I love that you realize that this is something your soil is trying to tell you! Very smart. Consider your drainage and moisture levels. Those are things you can control. This article has some more cultural information I hope you find helpful. Keep up the good work.
https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/wp-resource_search.php?term=2657Super interesting! Thanks for the article. As this is a raised bed the drainage should be OK, but it is in an area where the paths around the beds gets pretty waterlogged in a rain. I could add some coir and cut back on the fertilizer (I use kelp meal and pelleted manure). Think that would help?
I do think that will help! Anything you can do to add air. That coir will help, as will cutting back the fertilizer. Again, keep up the good work! You got this.
