Ask Marjorie: your gardening queries answered by editor-in-chief Marjorie Harris.

Q gathering moss

My husband has installed a set of stone steps leading to our front Door. We'd like to plant some moss to fill in the cracks. What type of moss should we use, and when should we plant it? Zone 5. --Amanda Philip, Hillsburgh, ON

A There are at least 1,200 different species of mosses in North America alone. Look around your area for local mosses and scoop up some tiny bits. Whip up the moss with an acidophilus (live culture) yogurt, a little sheep manure and some water to make a thick slurry. Daub this in the cracks and keep it moist until the moss fills in. Alternatively, check out your own garden, especially in the cool, damp days of early spring, for …