When planting ground covers, the first step is to remove all existing unwanted vegetation such as lawn grass or weeds from the area. Removal can be done physically or by using a herbicide such as glyphosate, but do a thorough job. It will be far more difficult to control problem weeds after the ground cover has been planted. Next, till the soil to loosen it. If you are working under a tree, use a turning fork to minimize damage to the tree’s roots, and avoid severing roots larger than 1 inch in diameter whenever possible.
After the soil is broken up, spread 2 inches of organic matter (compost, peat moss or rotted manure) over the surface and work it in. If necessary, 2 inches to 3 inches of additional blended soil mix (generally called topsoil or garden soil) may be added at this point. Finally, sprinkle 15-5-10 fertilizer at the rate of ½ cup per 30 square feet over the area, and thoroughly blend everything together. Now you are ready to plant.
Plant the ground cover at the proper spacing. This varies with the type chosen, so check with the staff at the nursery or your parish LSU AgCenter extension office. Planting at the closest recommended spacing will provide quicker coverage, but it will cost you more money. Generally, decide on a budget for the project, purchase as many plants as you can with the money and evenly space them in the area to be planted. If more are needed, purchase them as more funds become available and plant them among the existing plants. Fall planting is best. Ideally, a new ground cover area should completely cover the desired area within one year after planting.
The term ground cover is applied to low-growing plants, other than turf grass, used to cover areas of the landscape. Perennial, evergreen plants having a sprawling, or spreading, habit are most often used. The plants used for ground covers generally are 1 foot or less in height, but taller plants also are used appropriately in certain landscapes.
In addition to the beauty they provide, ground covers have many practical uses. They provide barriers to foot traffic and can guide traffic movement through a site. Some ground covers are effective in erosion control. Because they don’t have to be mowed, ground covers reduce landscape maintenance and are especially useful in problem areas such as on steep slopes, under low-branched trees and shrubs, where the roots of large trees protrude and in confined areas where mowing is difficult. They also are the best solution to areas under trees that have become too shady for grass to grow.
You must carefully consider the characteristics you would like the ground cover to have (height , texture, color and so forth) when making your selection. You also need to think about the growing conditions where it will be planted – such as sunny or shady, dry or moist. Then look at the size of the area to be planted. Only the most reliable, fast-spreading and reasonably priced ground covers should be considered for large areas.
Monkey or mondo grass, creeping lily turf (liriope) and Japanese ardisia are good choices for shade to part shade. Asiatic jasmine is excellent for sun to part-shade. Whatever type of ground cover you choose, proper preparation of the planting area will help ensure good establishment and faster growth. Ground covers provide the following functions in the home landscape:
- Erosion control on slopes.
- Vegetative growth where grass is difficult to grow.
- Reduced temperature and glare.
- Less lawn maintenance.
- Filling in of narrow or oddly shaped areas in the landscape where mowing is difficult.
Give careful consideration when selecting ground covers. Selection will depend on the location where it will be used. Consider the amount of sunlight present, irrigation availability, desired height and growth habit and desired growth rate.