Ground Covers: Preparing the Site

A well prepared planting bed is essential for ground cover establishment. The soil should be tested for pH and fertilizer recommendations before planting. Remove or kill any existing vegetation, especially perennial weeds. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches incorporating any fertilizer and lime needed, as well as, a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic matter such as pine bark mulch or compost. Rake and allow the soil to settle before planting. If the site is on a steep slope, you may need to apply netting to help reduce soil erosion.

By preparing the entire bed, individual holes should be easy to dig with a trowel or spade. Remove plants from their container by turning it upside down and tapping the bottom. Never pull plants from their container. Loosen and spread roots that are tightly wound around the root ball. Refill the hole and lightly firm the soil.

Spacing between plants will vary with the type of plant used and how quickly you need the ground to be covered. Keep the growth rate and mature size in mind. Some plants, such as azaleas and junipers, will tend to mound up instead of spreading out if planted too close together. As a general rule, space vines such as vinca and ivy 1 foot apart. Ground covers, such as pachysandra and ajuga, should be spaced 8 to 10 inches apart. Shrubs, such as juniper and azalea, should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Most vines and fast-spreading shrubs should be spaced 5 feet apart.

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