Planting Ground Covers: Timing, Soil Prep, Spacing, and Slope Techniques

In cold-winter areas, plant in spring for a full season of establishment. In hot-summer/mild-winter regions, fall planting lets winter rains do the work.

Site Preparation

Remove weeds, amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure, broadcast complete fertilizer per label, and work in with shovel or tiller. Rake level. Exception: shrubby plants from gallon pots often go into native soil without amendments. Landscape fabric is optional.

Planting Methods

• Small pots/cell packs/flats: Dig holes slightly wider than root ball, same depth. For flats, cut between plants with a putty knife to separate.
• Gallon containers: Dig a tapered hole with a central plateau of undisturbed soil. Rest root ball on plateau; keep crown slightly above soil to prevent rot.

Water thoroughly after planting, then every few days until established. Mulch 2–4 inches between plants, keeping crowns uncovered.

Planting on Slopes

Stagger rows. Create individual terraces with a basin behind each plant to catch water. Set crowns high to avoid saturation and rot.

Spacing Guide

Spacing depends on species and desired fill-in speed. The table below shows coverage area for various plant counts and spacings (plants per flat in parentheses).