How to Plant a Ground Cover From Seeds

Choose your ground cover. When choosing what type of ground cover to plant, there are a few things to consider like the height of the plant, how fast and how much it spreads, when it blooms, the foliage color, drought tolerance, and its specific planting requirements. For example, the bearberry grows about 10 cm tall and produces edible fruit. It grows well in full sun, so it would be a great choice for a sunny bank but would not do well in the shade. Gold saxifrage is perfect for bog gardens since it loves shady areas and thrives in wet woodlands. Growing about 30 cm tall, the leaves can be used in salads.

Sprout the seeds inside. Many gardeners have been unsuccessful planting ground cover from seeds. To avoid failure, you must sprout the seeds inside your home. Fold several sheets of paper towels together and dampen with warm water. Place five to ten seeds between the paper towels, keeping the seeds covered. Place the seeds in a safe place away from direct sunlight and keep the paper towels moist. Check the seeds daily for any signs of germination. Within ten days, you should see a tiny white root growing out of the seeds.

Transplant the sprouted seeds to containers. Fill planting containers or small pots with moistened peat moss to about three quarters full. Follow the spacing directions as stated on the seed packet and lightly press the seeds down into the peat moss. Be sure to place the root pointing down and make sure the seed is completely covered with the moistened peat moss. For the next six months, water the seedlings thoroughly. Keep them moist but not saturated.

Move the seedlings to your garden. Within six months your seedlings should be ready to plant outside. When planting your ground cover, do so when there is no chance of frost. Late spring to early summer is the ideal time to plant your ground cover. To discourage weed growth, lay landscape fabric down in the area you are planting your ground cover. Cut a hole in the landscape fabric for each plant. Spacing for the plants is not extremely important since you want them to grow close together, so place them no more then 12 inches apart. Dig each hole the same depth as the pot they grew in. Place the plant in the hole with the roots facing down, covering the roots and stem with the soil.

Water and mulch. After your plants are in the ground, water them thoroughly and add a layer of mulch. Watering should be done every few days or when the ground around your plants feels dry.