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Need a filler groundcover that can be grown from seed?

14 years ago

I have huge garden beds that I inherited with this property when I bought it last year. Mulching is just too big of a job right now (many other projects taking priority). The gardens haven't been mulched in years and in my effort to "clean up" I've exposed bare ground that is just filling in with weeds! I am currently weed whacking and spraying one last time for the season. The previous owners gardener told me last year to just let everything die back in the fall and start fresh in the spring. I did that, but things still got out of control this year. Are there any really hardy groundcovers that I could sew from seed in large areas between the exsisting plants? Anything I can sew this fall so it will come up in the spring, or do I need to wait for spring?

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Comment (1)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
I'm not sure this is your best solution. It takes time for groundcovers - even those planted from starts rather than seeds - to fill in and provide effective weed control. In the meantime, you still have to deal with weeds and pulling/removing them when they are coming up in amongst the GC's only complicates the issue. And some GC's are just much better at weed suppression than others, so not knowing your location and growing conditions makes it diffcult to make appropriate suggestions.

Many different types of groundcovers are available from seed. I've attached a link for your reference. Note that it indicates that direct seeding into the garden is not very successful and certainly not at this late time of year. If you wanted to follow this route, I'd consider starting the seed indoors in winter and transplanting the plugs in spring.

Mulching is really the very best weed suppression method available. Additionally, it encourages the activities of benefical soil organisms and provides necessary organic matter to the soil. Its eventual decomposition also adds nutrients to the soil. A decent layer of wet newspapers topped with a thick layer of fallen leaves will work fine. As will shredded bark, wood chips, straw or even grass clippings. I would always find time to mulch before I'd consider other gardening chores - its benefits far outweigh any expense or time involved.

Here is a link that might be useful: groundcovers from seed
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