Ground preparation -
Till the top 12" of the area where plants are to be grown. The best way to improve soil is to add organic matter such as peat, compost or manure at a rate of 25% by volume into the planting area.
Fertilizing -
Incorporate a complete fertilizer like 10-10-10 into the soil at the time of planting. For maximum growth, a high nitrogen fertilizer like 16-4-8 should be applied every 4-6 weeks after planting, beginning in early spring through late summer. In early fall and winter, apply 5-10-15 at recommended rate.
Weed control -
For best results,incorporate a pre-emergent weed control into the planting area. Follow label instructions for the brand you choose. Be sure to check the label of the brand selected to assure applicability to the specific groundcover to be treated. Applying a heavy top mulch will greatly assist weed prevention and control and increase moisture retention.
Planting Guidelines and Conversion Tables:
| General Spacing Recommendations for most groundcovers: | |
| Bare Root | 4-8" |
| 2 1/4" Pot | 8-12" |
|
Classic Pint |
12-18" |
| Gallon | 12-24" |
| Plant Spacing | Plants per SqFt |
| 4" | 9 |
| 6" | 4 |
| 8" | 2.25 |
| 10" | 1.45 |
| 12" | 1 |
| 15" | 1 per 1.56 sq.ft. |
| 18" | 1 per 2.25 sq.ft. |
| 24" | 1 per 4 sq.ft. |
Formulas for figuring square feet
Squares and rectangles - Length x width
Circle - 3.14 x radius squared
Equivalents and Conversion Tables
1 sq.ft. = 144 sq. inches
1 sq. yard = 9 sq. ft.
1 sq. ft. = .11 sq. yds.
1 acre = 43,560 sq. ft.
1 acre = 4,840 sq. yds.
1 cu. yd = 27 cu.ft or 22 bu.
1 cu. ft. = 4/5 bu.
1 1/4 cu. ft. = 1 bu.
1 cu. yd. = 3 inch layer over 108 sq. ft.
1 cu. yd. will fill
Soil Conditioners
PINE BARK - One 3 cu. ft. bag covers 35 sq. ft. to a depth of 1".
SOIL - One 3 cu. ft. bag covers 21 sq. ft. to a depth of 1".
PEAT MOSS - One 6 cu, ft. bale covers 70 sq. ft. to a depth of 1".
For high quality landscape management at lower costs and higher profits, Classic Groundcovers recommends that you "Think Xeriscape." Xeriscaping simply means saving water outdoors. That means saving money and the environment.
The following guidelines are recommended to make your landscape more water efficient:
