It's a cover story

SPREAD'S THE WORD TO HIDE THAT BARE SOIL

- DAVID DOMONEY

SEPTEMBER is the sweet spot for covering bare soil. The ground is warm, rain returns and container-grown plants establish quickly before winter. Low growers knit together to suppress weeds, conserve moisture and give a year-round polish with minimal fuss.

Why September works

Ground cover planted now benefits from active root growth, shorter stress periods and fewer watering demands. It also fills gaps before winter, protecting soil, reducing weed germination and sheltering beneficial insects. In milder areas, you can continue planting into early October if the soil remains workable.

Choose and prepare the spot: