Top Ground Cover Options for Erosion Control and Low Maintenance Lawns
There are many top ground cover options out there, which is why it can be tricky to decide what is best for you. It really depends on your own personal preference. Some benefits of using ground cover include protecting soil from erosion, preventing weeds from getting worse and retaining moisture. This is especially important during the summer months to keep your grass and plants hydrated and alive.
The main type of ground cover is plants, but mulch is also a great option for many lawns. At DL Supply, we offer a wide range of mulch products tailored to your needs, along with plenty of advice on other top ground cover options!
Plants as ground cover
Many plants are typically used as ground cover. These are a great option for a low-maintenance lawn because they are easy to manage. From flowering perennials to low-growing evergreens, countless plants can serve as effective ground covers. A quick Google search or a conversation with our team can help you explore the options.
The two main categories are:
- Flowering ground covers, such as bunchberry, common periwinkle and honeysuckle
- Evergreen ground covers like creeping juniper
These categories can overlap so that evergreen covers may include flowers as well. The main difference is that evergreens do not die in the fall/winter, but many flowering plants do. Also, some types of each are “shade-tolerant,” meaning they do best in the shade.
These plants are usually very low-maintenance and can bring a lot of fun colors to a yard. As we said before, there are so many options. Some plants are better than others for being walked on, for being on slopes, for specific types of weather and for other specific conditions.
Mulch as ground cover
Another option for ground cover is mulch. While mulch does need replenishing on occasion, it is still a great low-maintenance option for lawns. It is especially effective at preventing weeds, so if that is important to you, mulch may be the way to go.
It is very important to remember not to use playground mulch as your main ground cover in a garden, as it can potentially release chemicals into the soil. Other types of mulch may be better suited for lawns or gardens because they add nutrients and help with moisture.
Erosion control
Most top ground cover options are low-maintenance, so now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can focus on what would work best for erosion control. Topsoil can naturally be worn away by wind, water, people walking and many other factors. Ground cover helps year-round to prevent topsoil from disappearing completely.
If you experience soil erosion, most ground cover will help, but there are a few stand-out options. The best options are usually grasses because their roots interlock and anchor the soil, even in rough weather conditions. Some shrubs and perennials also work well.
Your choice of ground cover for soil erosion may also depend on the area itself, as some plants do better on slopes or in the sun. Creeping phlox is a great option for sunny, rocky areas, while pachysandra is best for shade. There are many other examples, but that is just one difference between plants.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when getting ground cover. The weather in your area, soil erosion needs, the level of maintenance you want and even aesthetics can all go into deciding what is right for your lawn.
As always, DL Supply is here to help with these tough decisions. Reach out today to get advice and enhance your lawn or garden!