I like that ..."veneer", that's what I do, except, if it shrinks or curls, just keep jamming more in there.
I reckon more is better.
It's good to have a few moss collection sites, keep em cultivated well, always leaving enough for regrowth and collection in a couple years, we always drop random chunks on the way home to try to cultivate new locations too.
I find with a noonish watering, things stay alive rather well, prior early am watering would require a moss misting in the afternoon.
Sorce