How to Prune Periwinkel Ground Cover

Ground covers are a wonderful alternative to lawn. They bloom, are low-maintenance and will grow for many years and still look good. Ground covers such as periwinkle and hypericum require fertilizing and trimming at least on an annual basis to keep them healthy and looking good.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Compost
• Fan Rake
• Gas-powered Mowers
• Slow-release Fertilizer
• Safety Goggles

1. Set your power lawn mower on the highest setting.
2. Mow the ground cover in the early spring, just before active new growth begins.
3. Rake up or bag the clippings as you mow. Use the shredded clippings in your compost pile.
4. Mulch over the mown ground cover with finished compost from your pile or organic compost from the nursery. Mulching prevents weeds from growing.
5. Fertilize the composted ground cover with a slow-release balanced fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers have all the necessary nutrients ("N-P-K," or nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) listed on the front of the bag, as opposed to a lawn fertilizer that contains only nitrogen.
6. Water after fertilizing and stand back! Use this technique every spring and your ground cover will stay weed free and healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Any stray pieces that the mower missed can be trimmed with hedge clippers or garden shears.
• Wear goggles when mowing. Rocks and sticks may shoot out from under the mower while you are working.

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