Ground covers are actually valued for their willing covering and thus weed-inhibiting growth. But sometimes it's too much for the good guys. Releasing ground cover areas is sometimes difficult, but possible.
Above all, proliferating ground cover should be kept in check
When ground covers have to give way
As low-maintenance and grateful as they are - there can be a variety of reasons for wanting to get rid of ground covers. On the one hand, with certain varieties, their eager growth can become too consuming - especially when tirelessly creeping ground covers such as pennywort are adjacent to a bed, it can eventually be too much work to keep them in check and prevent them from overgrowing.
Another reason is the redesign of a garden area. Sometimes, as a gardener, you just need a breath of fresh air in your green oasis - or you just have a desire and ideas for a redesign.
In some cases, a groundcover just doesn't look nice anymore - especially if it hasn't been cared for for years. Irregular growth and lignified branches can be a thorn in the side of garden lovers in the long run.
The reasons for removing ground cover at a glance:
- excessive growth
- Desire for redesign
- Unsightly appearance due to years of neglect
Get rid of ground covers
Given their typical vigour, removing ground cover can be a real challenge - and at least initially it feels like a Sisyphean task. Because if the ground cover is removed purely mechanically, it is actually hardly possible to get all the plant remains. So you have to reckon with annoying urges to greet you again and again later.
The most natural way to remove a ground cover is to dig it up. As a rule, you cannot avoid this tedious work. Depending on the variety, you have to work quite deeply in order to get the root system as completely as possible. This can be very strenuous, especially with species that form strong, underground or above-ground runners such as Ysander or ivy.
If the ground cover is too stubborn, you can of course also use a herbicide - from an ecological point of view, however, this is an emergency solution that should be avoided if possible.
Thoroughly remove any cutting residue
In order to have as little rework as possible, you should make sure that you not only remove the roots but also the cuttings thoroughly and dispose of them in the organic waste bin. In particular, the remains of branches growing above ground that appear dead can also settle on the compost!