Strange mossy growth on top of soil.
By Foxdog24
Staffordshire,
United Kingdom 
I've a south facing garden, which is quite shaded in places and stays wet for long periods of time. These areas especially around winter start to develop a mossy/lichen type of growth on the top of the soil, which spreads over quite a wide area and feels wet. It will dig up, but only after you take off the top layer of soil and the growth at the same time. Once this has been done, it stays relatively free of this green growth, but once winter and the cold comes again it starts to grow back. Please does anyone know what this is and how to combat it in the future. I'm losing alot of soil each time i have to dig it up and its looks very unsightly.
Regards,
David.
14 Apr, 2009
Answers
David, you seem to be describing liverwort, which behaves just as you say. The wet ground is the problem the long term solution is better drainage. Is it possible to put drains in are are you stuck with it? Alternatively could you turn the area into garden beds for plants that like moist, shady conditions?
15 Apr, 2009
Hello David, Welcome to GOY.
Turn your ground over and add old mortar rubble and broken bricks, dig deep to keep the top drier.
15 Apr, 2009
Dr B's suggestion will work if all you want there afterward is grass... not if you want to grow plants in the area.
15 Apr, 2009
Dig in lots of horticultural grit and compost as well. This should help.
15 Apr, 2009
I have a similar type situation with a south facing mostly shaded garden. The green stuff was there when I moved in last year so lasst year i dug up most of the soil and replaced with compost and some soil improver as usggested by my neighbour. Unfortunately i didnt put rubble (in hindsight now I probably shoul have) but I think i drains well now because it no longer getts soggy and havent had the green stuff this year so far.
15 Apr, 2009
Previous question
Spooky.....I have the same thing from time to time, down here in S. London...... nothing dramtic.. but. . It'l be interesting to see what peoples views are
14 Apr, 2009