Leaving your soil uncovered in the garden is a bit like walking around in the hot sun with no hat — you’re asking for trouble. Bare soil is a magnet for weeds, their seeds blown into your garden by the wind or dropped by birds. Topsoil or potted plants can also contain weed seeds. However, weeds are only part of the problem with exposed ground in the garden. The soil can also dry out very quickly, creating drought issues for plants, and will erode easily in windy conditions. Covering the soil with a mulch, such as bark, shredded pine and pea straw, is a good interim solution, but these have to be replaced eventually. I think it’s far better to go for a living mulch — in other words, a ground cover. Ground covers help to insulate the soil when the temperature gets very hot or cold. They also help build up humus levels in the soil and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Unlike bark and pebble mulches, ground covers can also add color to the garden with attractive leaves or flowers. There are many to choose from; any plant that will hug the soil, leaving little bare soil exposed, can be classed as a ground cover, whether it’s an herb, a perennial or a low-growing shrub. Take a look at the all-around-best ground covers below and think about adding some of these useful plants to your garden this summer.

Ground Cover vs Lawn

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