Moss Graffiti: Guerrilla Gardening Recipe

 

Moss Grafitti also known as Green Graffiti or Eco-Graffiti , replaces spray paint, paint-markers or other toxic chemicals and paints with a paintbrush and a “Moss Paint” that can grow on its own. Check out this form of guerrilla gardening.

 

 

Moss: Natures carpet

What you need to get started:

-1 or 2 clumps of moss

-2 cups of water

-2 cups of buttermilk

*You can also substitute the milk with yogurt (vegan yogurt can be used, but do not use flavored yogurt).

-1/2 tsp of sugar

-corn syrup (optional)

-1 blender

-1 paintbrush

-1 container with a lid

Step 1: Gathering the moss. Where you gather the moss is important. The kind that grows on trees won’t necessarily do well on walls.

• It’s important you gather moss from cement, pavement, damp bricks, etc. Moss that grows on trees or in the woods won’t necessarily do well on walls and should be left in the wild.

*Note if you cannot find moss on cement, pavement, damp bricks, etc where you live, the moss milk may not work in your climate.

Step 2: Clean the moss

• Get as much dirt and mud out of the moss as you can by washing it out with water.

 

Step 3: Break the moss apart.

• Break the moss apart in pieces and stick in blender.

 

Step 4: Making Moss Milk

• Add the buttermilk/yogurt, water and sugar. Blend the mixture until it is smooth, but do not liquefy it because the moss cells must stay intact. You will want it to have a thick paint-like texture.
  • If the mixture is at a consistency where you feel it will drip, add corn syrup until the consistency you desire is reached.
  • Alternatively, use one cup of ordinary milk to 1 to 2 tablespoons of moss.

 

Step 5: Pour Mixture (Moss Paint)  into a bucket.

Step 6: Begin Your Green Creation.

• Use a paintbrush to apply the Moss Paint to the surface on which you wish your design to grow.

 

Step 7:  Check back weekly to spray the green creation with water or apply more moss-paint. (This will encourage moss growth, and especially help if you live in a dry environment)

*Get creative and post your moss creations on our Facebook page and/or  your Instagram and use hash tag #growsomethinggreen

Enjoy the pictures others Moss Graffiti below! 

 

Images: WikiHow,