Groundcover Planting Instructions

General instructions for packet seeds:

The best method for planting any seed sold in packets by the seed count (Ie. Irish Moss – 5,000 Seeds) is to start the seed indoors for transplanting: If spring planting, sow seeds in late winter, 8 to 10 weeks before planting outdoors in the spring (after danger of any frost). Use shallow trays filled to the top with good top soil or potting soil. Sprinkle seed over the trays (can mix seed with sand to accomplish this) and gently press seed into soil. Lightly cover with peat moss to help retain moisture (you should still be able to see the seed through the peat moss). Bottom water or mist spray and try not to let the seed dry out. Keep trays at a consistent temperature. As seedlings develop, an application of liquid fertilizer like our 3-18-18 is recommended using a light spray of the fertilizer solution. Before transplanting into the bed, harden the plants for 3 days in a protected area outside. Transplant, use a light application of liquid fertilizer or starter fertilizer and water well. LazyMan Liquid Soil Conditioner is also recommend for retaining soil moisture and adding organic matter to the soil as well as mycorrhizae.

You may sow seeds directly outdoors; however, this must be done with caution. These seeds are very tiny and a hard rainfall, planting too deep, soil pH, and other environmental factors may hinder success. First, select a site that has good drainage and provides the amount of sun or shade needed. Raising the bed 2-4 inches above the original ground level will be helpful with drainage. Beds that provide good drainage are important as many ground covers do not do well with “wet feet,” and the poor drainage will cause rotting. Prepare the seed bed by removing all weeds either with herbicides or pulling manually (preferred). Once the seed bed is prepared, spread a 1-2” layer of potting soil over the bed. Many of the seeds for ground cover are very tiny, and it’s helpful to mix a seed packet with very fine sand. This gives you more matter to spread over the desired area. If you’re needing to sow between stones, using a salt shaker is a good way of controlling where the seed/sand mixture goes, and it allows you to get into the small crevices. Use a light dusting of the potting soil or peat moss over the top of the seed, but do not cover more than the thickness of the seed with soil. If using peat moss, you should still be able to see the seed through the peat moss. Moisten the seed bed with a fine spray mist and maintain the moisture until the seed has sprouted. It’s recommended to weed the bed as the seedlings grow as well as using a liquid fertilizer like our 3-18-18. Liquid Soil Conditioner is also recommend for retaining soil moisture and adding organic matter to the soil as well as mycorrhizae.

ASTILBE Perennial. Astilbe is a staple plant of the shade garden. Its blossoms are feathery plumes appearing from June to August and are excellent as a cut flower. The delicate foliage is often bronze as it unfolds in early spring. It remains attractive all season to provide a contrast with the broad leaves of Hosta, the upright fronds of Fern and the late blooming Anemone. Astilbes are lovely when planted alongside water areas and in naturalized sites. A wide range of heights and colors make it easy to work this perennial into nearly any shady landscape. Site Preference: For best flower performance, grow Astilbes in partial shade (4-8 hours of direct sunlight). They will grow in full sun (8 hours or more of direct sunlight) with more frequent watering to keep the soil moist, and in deeper shade (4 hours or less of direct sunlight) but with a shortened bloom time. Soil: Astilbes do best in moist, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) conditions. The addition of composted manure and sphagnum peat will assure a healthy planting. Water: Astilbes require consistently moist soil. A soaker hose placed under summer mulch is the ideal watering system. Water deeply early in the day when soil begins to dry.

BERGENIA Perennial. For the best germination, refrigerate seeds for 10 days before sowing. Cover very lightly with media after sowing, light will help germinaton.

CANDYTUFT Perennial. Zone 3-9. Candytuft is an evergreen shrub. Do not cut back. Start inside 6-8 weeks before last frost. Cover seed 1/4” with soil and provide cool conditions (55-65°F). May also be direct seeded outside in early spring or late autumn. Transplant outside after last frost into full sun or part-shade, 18-24” apart. Will spread up to 3’. Trim after blooming, and divide at this time every 3-4 years. Mulch for the winter to prevent die-back.

CATMINT Perennial. Sow seeds directly in the garden in full sun in ordinary well-drained soil. Thin plants to 6 in. apart when they are 2 in. tall. Pinch back the tops of the shoots for bushy plants when the buds appear. If you are using this for ground cover set plants 1-1 1/2 ft apart.

ROMAN CHAMOMILE Perennial. Seeds should be planted first in small containers, 1/8” deep. When the plants are big enough to handle, transplant to 6” apart. Prefers light, dry soil. Keep plants moist until established. Flowers should be harvested on a clear morning before the sun has drawn the valuable scent from the blossoms. Using scissors, pick the opened heads carefully. Spread on paper in a cool, dry, airy place. After the heads have become papery, store them in an airtight jar.

CREEPING THYME Perennial. Plant in well drained soil, full sun to partial shade. Surface sow or plant to no more than 1/8th inch deep. Cut back stems after flowering to help plant retain vigor. Great for use in rock gardens, herb gardens, ground cover and on stone walls. Once established water during dry periods, once or twice per week. Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice per season.

CROWN VETCH Perennial. Grows best in neutral or slightly acid soil (pH 6.5 - 7.0); may need application of lime to sweeten the soil. Fertilizer should be used before seeding, up to 1 pound of nitrogen from a fertilizer with a ration of 5-10-10 is recommended. Because crown vetch is slow to establish, a companion crop of creeping red fescue or annual ryegrass at 1 pound per 1,000 square feet provides initial cover. A rough, cloddy seedbed is satisfactory. Protection from erosion is necessary on slopes until the plant is established.

DICHONDRA Perennial. To plant dichondra you need a thoroughly prepared seedbed and weed free in the beginning. Dichondra is very hard to remove weeds from so make sure you pull out all weeds in the area before you plant your dichondra. Fully pack the soil and lightly rake the surface and evenly spread the seed, evenly watering afterward. Dichondra needs a lot of water on a deep and infrequent basis and needs to slightly dry out between waterings. Too little watering results in problems if the soils are clay like or the water is too alkaline which in this case results in salt burn. Use preplant fertilizer with at least 1 pound of actual nitrogen. Irrigate without letting the soil dry out between watering until germination occurs. Requires daily watering for at least 21 days to establish.

GAZANIA Perennial. Sow February to April in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of vermiculite. Try to keep at a temperature between 68-77F. After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 14-30 days. Growing Instructions: When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 23-30cm (9 to 12 inch) apart or plant into baskets and containers of good multi-purpose compost. Aftercare Instructions: For best results, provide a light, well-drained soil in full sun.

ICE PLANT Perennial. Grows well in zones 5-10 in dry, sandy, or even gravelly soil. Full sun and good drainage are necessary. Raised beds, containers, walls, and other locations that do not remain wet in the winter will work best. See perennial see planting instructions on blending with sand to spread.

SAGINA Perennial. Adaptable to sun or shade (preferable in the South), it needs moisture retentive, gritty, well-drained soil. Blend seed with sand to add additional matter content to spread. Surface sow mixture of sand and seed and keep moist until germination.

SEDUM Perennial. Zones 4-9. Best if seed is started inside 6-8 weeks before planting outside. Sprinkle seed on surface and germinate in darkness for up to 3 weeks. Provide cool to average soil temperatures. May also direct sow seed in well-drained soil and in a sunny location in early spring or autumn outdoors in desired location. Plant transplant outside around last frost date at least 12" apart. Will quickly spread and may be divided in spring or fall. Enjoys full sun and can withstand drought. Do not over water or fertilize. Cuttings root easily. . Perfect for Rock Gardens. Very drought tolerant. Does well on poor, dry sites or harden clay areas to sandy loams.

ROSEMARY Perennial. For best results the seeds should be started inside in seed trays and then transplanted outside when weather permits. To start seed indoors you'll need a seed tray, one that has small holes in the bottom for drainage. Next you need to add a good germinating soil found at Garden Centers or Hardware stores. Put the soil in the seed tray and soak it with a fine mist of water and then let it drain, put your finger in the soil to make sure all of the soil is moist. Take a ruler and make thin lines across the soil for rows to plant your seeds in. Sprinkle your seeds in the row evenly and mark each row with what you planted. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Water lightly and then cover with plastic to keep moisture in. Place seed tray in warm place (60°-70°F). When the seeds start to sprout put them under a grow light that is about 8"-10" above the tray. Remove the plastic. Check daily so they don't dry out, soil should be kept damp, not soaking wet. When the seedlings in your trays develop 2 or 3 true leaves it's time to transplant into pots or outdoors, if it's time. If transplanting outdoors make sure you take them outside for a couple of hours each day for about a week so that they may harden and better survive outdoors.

SNOW IN SUMMER Perennial. Zones 3-7. Start inside 6-8 weeks before planting out. Cover seed lightly and provide average soil warmth (65-70°F). Should germinate in 5-15 days. May be direct seeded outside in early spring or late autumn. Transplant after last frost into a full sun location, 12-24” apart. Grows well in part-shade but will not bloom as heavily. May become invasive if not kept in check. Shear after blooming to keep plants tidy. Divide in spring when plants are too large. Grows well in hot, dry sites and poor soil.

SUNBURST WILDFLOWER MIX Germination suggestion: 65°-70° temperatures are ideal. Expect approximately 7-14 days for germination. Seed mix can be directly sowed outdoors. Remove any existing weeds and rake or till the ground. Mixing the seeds with a sand will help insure an even distribution (4:1 sand to seed is recommended). Broadcast the seed and then lightly rake the seed to a maximum depth of ¼ inches. The planting must then be kept moist for 4-6 weeks. As the planting becomes established, water can be gradually reduced. The first flowers should bloom in 6-8 weeks. One-half inch of water per week will lengthen the blooming period. In fall, the planting will stop flowering and it should be mowed to a height of 4-6 inches.

VERBENA Germination suggestion: 70°-75° temperatures are ideal. Expect approximately 14 days for germination. For the best germination, many growers suggest freezing the seed for 5 days before sowing. Sow seed on potting soil and cover very lightly. Keep surface of seed flat moist (if sown in pots, cover pot with glass or plastic to maintain moisture). Darkness will help germination. It’s recommended to transplant plugs 8” apart for ground cover.

VERONICA - BLUE CARPET Germination suggestion: 65°-70° temperatures are ideal. Expect approximately 2 weeks for germination if moisture and temperatures are consistent. After sowing seed, cover lightly with vermiculite. Light will help germination. May start in plug starter trays and transplant plugs directly outdoors.

VINCA - PERIWINKLE Germination suggestion: 75°-80° temperatures are ideal. Expect approximately 15 days for germination. For the best germination, several growers have suggested that freezing the seed for 5 days before sowing will help germination. Sow seed on potting soil and cover seed lightly with soil, darkness will help germination. Maintain 75°-80° soil temperature, use bottom heat and keep the surface moist. Once established, grow at 65°. They are very sensitive to temperatures below 65°, and overwatering will affect the growth and flowering time and give disappointing results. Do not pinch as flowering could be delayed 3-4 weeks. Water Vinca sparingly and let them dry out before watering again, this practice develops a proper root structure and prevents root rot. Always allow the plants to get established before applying fertilizer, then apply only at low rates. Low temperatures below 65º will cause yellowing of foliage, stunted growth, and a poor quality plant.

WHITE DUTCH CLOVER Perennial. Sow anytime, anywhere, at 1/4 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. Lightly rake in to surface soil if possible and keep moist until germination. Survives drought, grows well everywhere, even on barren soil. If you want all the benefits of a cover crop but don't want to till early or mow, clover is your best bet. Winter-hardy and it stays low so you can just till it under in the spring.

WINTERGREEN Perennial. Wintergreen is a slow-growing, aromatic ground cover that reaches a height of four inches. It thrives in full to partial shade in zones three through eight, and it requires acidic, moist soil. Wintergreen has thick, oval shaped foliage that turns a beautiful shade of red in the fall. It also has little flowers that are a pale shade of pink. It later produces attractive red berries.