ForestHarvest: non-timber forest products in Scotland

GATHERING - Harvesting Guidelines

Hanging baskets - alternatives to moss

Plantlife suggests the following alternatives to using moss in hanging baskets:

Commercially available products

Coir mats - made from the outer shells of coconutes; they are available flat, to be cut to shape, or ready formed.

Compressed waste paper - holds water well, available as pre-formed shapes.

Wollen liners - available as a by-product of the wool industry.

DIY solutions

Black polythene - a bin liner can be cut to shape to line a hanging basket, using some paper as an inner liner to help retain water.

Newspaper will become like papier mâché and holds water well.

Hay - cheap and easy to use.

Old woolly jumpers can be recycled to make a basket liner.

Image copyright Scottish Natural Heritage

Back to The Scottish Moss Collection Code