Kokedama moss balls were the last thing in mind when I started pruning my apple tree. In the picture, you can see that somebody had climbed there or was looking for bugs underneath.
Little bits and pieces of moss were on the ground, so my original thought was to put them in the compost! But then this happened – “Is there any other way I can use them?” That’s when I had a picture of a Kokedama moss ball in my head.
In this article, you’ll find how to create an Eco-Friendly Kokedama moss ball.
What’s a Kokedama?
Kokedama in Japanese is literally “moss ball”. You might have seen it somewhere in a home/gardening magazine. It brings zen-like calm feelings into space and provides fresh air as well.
So now that you know what it is, let’s make one with what you already have!
What you need for making a Kokedama
- moss (grown in your garden)
- a plant ( I used a fern grown in my garden.)
- soil/compost mix (enough to make the size of a tennis ball)
- water (to keep the moss moist & for soil mix for better bonding)
- jute twine
- a pair of scissors
How to make a Kokedama moss ball
Yes, there’s a video tutorial for it! It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Step 1: Create a dirtball (This is the fun part!)
First, you want to make sure the moss you’re using is moist. If it’s dry, soak it in a container filled with water.
Once you gather the items, start making a dirtball with the roots of a plant in the middle. Every time you add soil, make sure to firmly shape it with both hands until it becomes about the size of a tennis ball.
If the soil mix is dry, add a bit of water for better bonding.
Step 2: Cover with moss
When you’re done, start covering the dirtball with moss. What you need to do is to make sure there’s no spot uncovered. Otherwise, the soil will dissolve in water. Just like the soil, firmly shape the moss ball so it stays in place.
Now, you need to get natural fiber twine/string and a pair of scissors ready for the next step.
Final Step: Secure the Kokedama moss ball with twine/string
You probably have a nice-looking Kokedama moss ball in front of you. So hold it with one hand, and use the other hand to wrap around it with twine. You want to go around a few times to make sure the moss stays in place.
Finally, tie a knot and cut off the extra length for a clean look.
Mission Accomplished!
How to water the Kokedama moss ball
Some people hang it as a decoration while others leave it in a shallow container with a bit of water. Either way, spray water regularly to keep the moss moist. For hanging ones, give them a good soak once in a while in a sink or a container.
As I mentioned in the beginning, it was a spontaneous craft I did when I saw the scattered moss on the ground. If I didn’t go out for gardening, I wouldn’t have even noticed the change. And if I didn’t see it, I wouldn’t have created an Eco-Friendly Kokedama moss ball with what I had in my garden.
When you’re connected with nature, you’ll notice things that spark your curiosity for infinite possibilities.
Now, I want you to go outside and be a part of nature. You may be surprised with what you can come up with…
with Love & Care ❤️
Kumiko