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Winter ground cover in general serves several purposes. The options available depend on the climate and the amount of upkeep you are willing to do in the winter time. Another consideration when contemplating winter ground cover is whether or not you want the cover to do more than make the area look pleasing during the bleak winter months. There are options that can protect and improve the soil and others that can add interest to a winter garden landscape and a few that do both!
Erosion control, soil improvement and temperature regulation are three things that winter ground cover can do in a garden setting in any temperature zone. Holding the good garden soil in place during winter rains, winds, and other more destructive weather events is a key function of winter ground cover in areas that are plagued with tornadoes, dust devils, monsoon type rain storms. Uncovered improved garden soil can be quickly carried away when such weather occurs. When live ground cover is used it can later be used as a natural compost by tilling the plants directly into the soil when the winter season comes to an end and you are ready to prepare the soil for your spring garden. Another advantage of a winter ground cover is that it can keep the ground temperature consistent during the winter months which prevents premature sprouting during occasional, unseasonable warm spells.
Temperature zones that do not get a heavy blanket of snow during the winter months may benefit the most by the planting of a winter ground cover. Many ground cover plants require a certain amount of moisture which winter rains often readily supply. The right amount of sunlight is the only other essential requirement of most winter plant ground covers. Non-plant ground covers may include well rotted compost, shredded leaves or seasoned manure. Choosing ground covers that can simply be tilled into the soil eliminates the chore of removing the ground cover and has the additional benefit of improving the soil for the growing season ahead. Vegetable gardens and acreage can benefit from the planting of a winter crop that can be harvested before tilling in the spring. Flower beds can be given winter interest by planting evergreen species that add color, texture or structural interest to the otherwise barren winter garden landscape. Bearberry is one example of a small evergreen shrub that can be used as a ground cover in a flower bed that adds color via its small leaves that turn bronze in the fall and the red berries it displays until spring. Soybeans and rye grass are examples of two winter ground covers used that provide a usable crop in addition to being a ground cover.
Winter ground cover is something that can be done to improve your garden success months before planting begins. As always checking with local gardeners or your county extension office will supply you with the most accurate and detailed winter ground covers information for your specific area.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about landscape gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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