okc area: source for cheap small 'mossy boulders'?

18 years ago

Hi,

I'm looking for a cheap source of what's commonly called "Mossy Boulders": common sandstone rocks covered in moss and lichen. The sizes I'm interested in are about 12"x6"x5" or so (I'm using the sontes to create a divide between my woods and lawn: the stones will be buried an inch or two in the dirt, and there will only be a single course).

I've bought a few small "Mossy Boulders' from Minick to experiment with, and I like the look. Is there a source in the state that sells these for less than $100 per ton? I'm in the OKC are, but will travel if I can get them really cheap. They're $170/ton at Minick and others in town. I have found cheaper sources in the metro, but I thought I'd check with the group before I began to lay out hundreds of bucks. I'll need quite a bit, maybe as much as 10 tons (not all at once: I'll do this over the Summer, as the money trickles in).

Thanks for the help.

Frank

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Comments (6)

mrsfrodo
18 years ago
Frank,

You might check HGTV for how to make your own moss/lichens. I remember one show showing a landscaper mixing moss and watered-down milk together and painting it on the stones of a newly installed wall. The lanscaper claimed the moss should be visible in a few months. The catch was cool and moist weather- I think the home owners may have been told to mist the rocks. Anyway- there may be a way to grow your own moss and just by the rocks if you can wait until it is fall for cooler weather.
HFK123
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi MRSFrodo,

Thanks for the tip, I've heard that moss/lichen can be added to rocks and nurtured with butter or milk. Can't wait untill the Fall, I'm afraid: my yard needs improvement soon, before my neighbors get restless. Besides, it's very possible that I'll need up to 500 such rocks: that's a lot of rock-milking :)

Thanks again...
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If you get down to our neck of the woods, there are a few places down here. "Harvesting" rocks is big business around here. We could probably make some good $$ if we wanted to clear them off of our couple dozen acres.

Anyway, check the listings for rock businesses in and around Poteau. Our neighbors sell to someone in Poteau.
susanlynne48
18 years ago
I've heard that painting the stones with buttermilk, or milk and peat most mixed together, will give you the same result, encouraging moss to grow on the stones. The problem is that usually when the hot weather gets here, and we all know it will come.....the moss may dissipate, so you may have to re-apply the solution. You can probably google "creating moss" on the net and get various results.

Susanlynne
HFK123
Original Author
18 years ago
Owie, thanks, I will look into the Poteeau suggestion...

Susan, I Googled just as you suggested: one of the first links took me right back here to Gardenweb, to the informative thread linked below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb Moss Creation Thread
susanlynne48
18 years ago
Wow - I always wanted to do this, but never seem to have the time. I also want to make homemade troughs (they showed that on Gardening by the Yard this morning), and it looks very easy. The mix was 1 part concrete (not quick stuff), 2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite. You mix the peat moss and perlite together, and then add the concrete. You begin hosing in some water while stirring (they did say it's easier if 2 people are working together, one stirring and one with the hose) until you can make it stick together like a big softball, and it doesn't crumble. Using a large cardboard box, whatever size you want. Line it with a plastic garbage bag. Pour enough to cover the bottom about 3" thick and smooth it down flat. Then you build the sides pinching it together like you would pie crust and keep building it up to the height you want it. Fold the excess plastic bag over into the box and then let it dry for 48 hours. Remove the box and plastic. Any gaps or uneven spots, you just use the dry concrete and smooth it over the spots. It has to cure for about a month before you can use it. Sounds pretty simple, except for needing the extra hand to help you. These troughs develop moss as they age.

Susan

okc area: source for cheap small 'mossy boulders'?

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okc area: source for cheap small 'mossy boulders'?

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