Things You'll Need:
- Ground cover plants
- Shovel
- Pitch fork
- Peat moss or compost
- Herbicide (optional)
- Water
- Mulch
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Step 1
Determine your planting zone if you do not know it. Choose a ground cover that will grow abundantly and successfully in your specific planting zone and that will grow in the specific spot that you have in mind for planting. Some ground covering plants need full sun, others need shade, and some will tolerate a combination of sun and shade.
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Step 2
Work the soil of your growing area with a pitch fork to break up and loosen the dirt. Add approximately three cubic yards of peat moss or compost to each 1,000 square feet of growing area. Use the pitch fork to completely incorporate the compost or peat into the soil.
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Step 3
Make sure that any weeds that exist in the growing area have been removed completely. Weeds can be very destructive to ground covers so it is important to remove them. Ideally, this will occur as you are working the soil in step 2. However, you may desire to ensure that any perennial weeds are completely removed by spraying an herbicide onto the area. If you spray an herbicide onto the growing area, wait at least one week before planting the ground cover plants.
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Step 4
Plant the ground cover plants. Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for your specific ground cover. This information should be included on the labels of the plants. Dig holes according to the spacing guidelines. The holes should be large enough to accommodate the roots of the plants without damaging the roots. Place the ground cover plants into the holes and fill in the dirt around the roots firmly.
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Step 5
Water the newly planted ground cover plants well. Keep them evenly moist as they are getting established.
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Step 6
Mulch lightly between the plants with grass clippings or sawdust to help prevent weeds.
