IN AND ABOUT MY GARDEN

BY MARY REID, GREEN THUMB GARDENS

n the April 1999 Oscar, we reviewed the basics of lawns and their care. For those of you who still want to pull up your lawns (especially with the ongoing challenge of white grubs) but prefer not to embark on a full scale landscaping project, you may want to consider a 'living carpet.'

Ground cover plants are usually fairly low maintenance, as always, if they are sited properly - and they offer an attractive alternative to green grass. (Low maintenance is achieved once the ground cover has filled in.)

Some residents enjoy a combination of grass and ground cover - planting the low-growing plants around the base of a tree where your lawn just won't take off the way you want it to.

Ground cover plants aren't terribly particular as to when they are planted, although spring and/or fall are the optimum planting seasons. Shock to a plant is often minimized in the spring and fall.

Ensure the soil is workable in the spring. If you choose the fall, ensure there is still some time left before the ground freezes for the roots to get somewhat established.

Prepare your soil well prior to planting your ground cover plants. Since these plants can achieve a true carpet effect, once their foliage is thick and lush, fertilizing these plants becomes fairly difficult. Dig in lots of organic material. This can be manure and/or mushroom compost or your very own compost. Amending the soil with organic material improves aeration, drainage and nutrient-holding capacity. It's a good idea to add bone meal when you are planting perennials, shrubs, trees and so on. This gives the roots a little extra nutrition to get them started in their new habitat.

Most ground covers are planted approximately 30 cm apart. If you want more of an instant carpet you'll need to reduce the centres to about 15 - 20 cm. Initially you'll need to weed between the plants as well as ensuring they are watered to help them along.

Some ground covers to consider: