Ground cover plant for in woods
#1
02-06-20, 08:40 AM
Ground cover plant for in woods
I have a small section of "woods" in the corner of my yard. About 4500 sq. I'm looking for some ground cover to plant back in there to help keep the weeds down. I have poison ivy real bad and I keep spraying and spraying it and more keeps popping up. It's almost full shade all day, and can be kind of wet. I am in nw ohio
#2
02-06-20, 05:44 PM
Group Moderator
I would take a walk in the natural forest in your area and see what's growing. Down here in NC there are several plants that make nice ground covers and tolerate/love shaded areas.
#4
02-06-20, 08:15 PM
Group Moderator
Well I would not think twice about hitting the poison ivy with a maximum rate of glyphosate (RoundUp).
#5
02-07-20, 12:25 AM
Group Moderator
Shade is tough, especially if you're trying to displace something which actually does grow well. I would hit the local nurseries and maybe agricultural extension office.
#7
02-07-20, 12:08 PM
Hard shade is tough, you probably want several sorts of plants with blooming times / growing times that overlap.
Generally, you'll be looking at ferns, succulents, and sedges.
You might also try some jewelweed, and vines - pumpkins, squash, wild grape.
You want to AVOID the common mistake of "cleaning up" the wooded area by raking out the leaves - in most cases, the beneficial plants are very shallow rooted and NEED the decaying leaves for nutrients.
If you clear out the sticks and leaves, down to bare ground, THEN the only things that will grow are "weeds" like poison ivy, that can tolerate bare soil.
Generally, you'll be looking at ferns, succulents, and sedges.
You might also try some jewelweed, and vines - pumpkins, squash, wild grape.
You want to AVOID the common mistake of "cleaning up" the wooded area by raking out the leaves - in most cases, the beneficial plants are very shallow rooted and NEED the decaying leaves for nutrients.
If you clear out the sticks and leaves, down to bare ground, THEN the only things that will grow are "weeds" like poison ivy, that can tolerate bare soil.
