In our eager endeavors to grow more and merrier, we often forget that a garden’s a place not just for healthy food and lovely flowers, but also for having some fun! I’ve had the privilege to step into the loveliest of gardens only to be cautioned to watch my step, lest I end up damaging the delicate turf or the dainty flowering plants. That, I tell you, can be really irksome! Why don’t they have a wider, more carefully laid out pathway or better still, a Tough Ground Cover? Yes, a tough ground cover, one you can walk on, the kids can run and roll on, and your beloved kitty or dog can catch some fresh air on!
Sedum, thyme, and vinca are some of the most obvious choices for ground cover in the high traffic regions of your garden. These resilient plants will give you the freedom of a casual stroll while still keeping the ground attractive. Low growing ground cover plants, especially the creeping varieties, too, are good candidates for the job. One of my favorites is Gurney’s Healthy Lawn Grass. It’s perfect for both moderate-sized lawns as well as large, open gardens. Not to mention, my dog Archie just loves rolling around on it! But if your pet’s even half as mischievous as Archie, I’d make sure there’s a low fence in place to keep him off your prized flowers. Alternately, you can grow rose bushes or bamboos to create natural barriers. And don’t forget to bring a couple of your pet’s favorite toys when you let him out in the garden. That will hopefully keep him from digging the turf for other fun activities!