Groundcovers That Work: Low-Maintenance Plants for Every Garden

What if I told you that the most dominant plant in your garden isn't the rose that you love or the towering sunflower, but the little clover , the little guys creeping along the ground? They're called groundcovers, and they fight weeds, save water, prevent erosion, and can even replace your lawn. I had an amazing conversation with Kathy Jentz , author of “ Groundcover Revolution ,” and we talked about how these humble plants can change your space and make it much more eco-friendly and beautiful. In this episode, we learn: [01:52] How Kathy became the plant lady she is today [02:44] Kathy’s background before she became a full-time plant lady [04:47] Why Kathy ditched turf for groundcovers [06:41] Why else should you think about groundcovers? [08:11] Clovers and pollinators [09:26] Bee lawns and flowering yards for pollinators [10:01] Is there a trap crop groundcover for birds? [12:04] Why artificial turf is bad for soil and trees [13:54] Can kids and dogs play on groundcovers? [15:15] Give your groundcover the best start with Espoma Organic’s lawn soil and Bio-tone starter! [16:50] Protecting tree roots and trunks with groundcovers [17:35] How tall do groundcovers get? [18:29] How to choose the right groundcover for you using Kathy’s charts [19:59] Mixing turf and groundcovers for family yards [21:39] What is Kathy’s “patchwork” groundcover method? [23:02] Step-by-step: converting a lawn with the lasagna method [26:52] Plugs vs. seeds (pros, cons, and budget tips!) [29:02] What are some mulching tricks + annual flowers for your groundcover? [30:54] How to sow groundcover seeds for a full summer lawn [32:42] Are there any groundcovers that require the cold? [33:37] What are Kathy’s favorite groundcovers? [35:52] Common mistakes rookies make with groundcovers [37:47] Where to find Kathy, her book Groundcover Revolution, and her Garden DC podcast? Mentioned in our conversation: Groundcover Revolution: How to use sustainable, low-maintenance, low-water groundcovers to replace your turf by Kathy Jentz GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening Ready for low-maintenance garden plants? Check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Kathy: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube X Thank you to our episode sponsor: Espoma Organic Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront . Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here ! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon ! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.