Use Groundcover Instead of Mulch

Most homeowners want a beautiful yard but few homeowners have the time or energy to put into maintaining their landscapes. Hiring a professional landscaper may not be the most reasonable approach for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on outdoor projects and some of us simply do not have a green thumb. The secret to a beautiful yet low-maintenance yard may lie in finding the right groundcover.

Groundcover consists of plants that grow very close to the ground. They cover the area like grass but the do not require cutting like grass does. These plant need very little or no maintenance. They also compete with weeds for light and water and they usually win. Groundcover also improves the soil by serving as mulch.

There are many different kinds of groundcover from which to choose. Some of the plants are flowering and provide an attractive assortment of colors for your yard. Some of the groundcover is edible. Strawberries are a good example of a fruit bearing plant that grows low to the ground. Spices like oregano and thyme can work but only in certain areas.

Most of the low-growing plants are perennials. This means that they will come up year after year without replanting and many of these perennials are evergreen so your yard has rich color all year long. There are excellent annuals to pick from as well but they need to be replanted each year.

This is not to suggest that perennials require no work. The first year requires weeding, mulching and planting. However, once that is finished there is little maintenance for the plants. Also, you have to create a barrier for the groundcover to keep it from getting out of control. Using brick borders or wood edging will so the trick. Before running out to your local lawn and garden center, take the wildlife in your area into consideration. Finding your newly planted groundcover eaten away by deer can be very discouraging. It is important to find groundcover that deer won’t eat if you live in an area with a high deer population. Some plants are deer deterrents. The other thing to consider is whether your landscape is sunny or shady. Usually the same plants that deter deer also tolerant of shade and can grow very well with little sunlight. Also, the aromas sent by these plants have the opposite effect on us as they do on the deer. We are quite attracted to their aroma.