10 Best Ground Covers for Raised Garden Beds

The best ground cover for raised garden beds is mulch or compost. Having a raised garden bed is a convenient way to grow plants, and it also enhances the aesthetics of your garden.

However, it is essential to cover the soil to maintain soil moisture, suppress weed growth and add nutrients to the soil. The use of ground covers can solve these issues, and they can also create an attractive and uniform appearance.

In selecting the type of ground cover for your raised garden bed, consider the environmental conditions and the plants you want to grow. Organic mulches such as straw, bark, or leaves are excellent choices as they decompose and enrich the soil. Compost also works well as a ground cover, providing valuable nutrients to the soil while improving soil texture and reducing erosion.

1. Creeping Thyme

Best Ground Cover For Raised Garden Beds: Creeping Thyme

If you’re looking for a ground cover plant that’s beautiful, fragrant, and easy to grow in raised garden beds, then creeping thyme is a perfect choice. This low-growing plant is perfect for filling in gaps between pavers or as a border plant.

Here’s everything you need to know about growing creeping thyme in raised garden beds.

Description Of Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is a low-growing, hardy plant that produces small purple, pink, or white flowers in the summer. This plant is native to Europe and prefers well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight, but it can also tolerate some shade. Creeping thyme has a pleasant, aromatic scent when crushed, making it a popular choice for culinary use.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Growing creeping thyme in raised garden beds is fairly easy. Here are the simple steps to follow:

• Choose a spot in your raised garden bed that gets plenty of sunlight.
• Prepare the soil by mixing in some compost or well-decomposed manure to improve drainage and fertility.
• Plant the creeping thyme seedlings at least six inches apart.
• Water the plants regularly, but make sure to avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungal growth.
• Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

Benefits Of Creeping Thyme

Aside from its beautiful appearance and pleasant fragrance, creeping thyme also offers several benefits for your raised garden beds:

• Natural weed control: Creeping thyme can help keep weeds at bay, reducing the amount of time you need to spend weeding your garden.
• Attract pollinators: The small flowers produced by creeping thyme are attractive to bees and other pollinators, helping to increase biodiversity in your garden.
• Low maintenance: Once established, creeping thyme requires very little care, making it a great choice for busy gardeners.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, attractive, and beneficial ground cover plant for your raised garden beds, then consider planting creeping thyme. With its aromatic scent, beautiful flowers, and natural weed control abilities, this plant is sure to delight both you and your garden guests.

2. Clover

Best Ground Cover For Raised Garden Beds: Clover

If you’re looking for a ground cover option for your raised garden beds, consider clover. Clover is a versatile and low-maintenance option that can add various benefits to your garden. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Description Of Clover

Clover is a type of legume that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It’s a perennial plant that can grow up to six inches tall and has small, white or pink flowers. There are different types of clover, but red and white clovers are the most commonly used as ground cover.

Clover is a useful plant because it can help improve soil health by fixing nitrogen. Nitrogen is crucial for plant growth, so clover can nourish the soil by providing this essential nutrient. Plus, clover is also a habitat for bees and other beneficial insects.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Growing clover in raised garden beds is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

• Prepare your soil: Clover prefers a well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic with a ph between 6.0 and 7.0. Before planting, ensure your soil is fertile and free from weeds, rocks, and debris.
• Plant the seeds: You can either sow clover seeds directly into the soil or start them indoors and transplant them outside later. Clover seeds should be planted in the early spring or fall.
• Water and fertilize: Clover doesn’t require much water or fertilizer, but it needs to be kept moist until the seeds germinate. Once the plants are established, water them only when the soil is dry.

Benefits Of Clover

Here are some of the benefits you can get from growing clover in your raised garden beds:

• Nitrogen fixation: As i mentioned earlier, clover can fix nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth.
• Weed suppression: Clover can help suppress weeds and reduce the need for herbicides, as it can compete with weed seeds for space and nutrients.
• Erosion control: Clover can help prevent soil erosion in your raised garden beds by establishing a root system that holds the soil in place.
• Pest control: Clover can attract beneficial insects like bees and other pollinators, which can help you control pests in your garden.

Clover is an excellent option for ground cover in raised garden beds. It’s low-maintenance, beneficial, and easy to grow. Give it a try and see its various benefits for yourself!

3. Sedum

Description Of Sedum

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a low growing perennial with succulent leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. This ground cover is an excellent choice for raised garden beds as it can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Sedum comes in various varieties and colours, including green, yellow, red, and purple.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

To grow sedum in raised garden beds, follow these simple steps:

• Select a sunny spot in your raised garden bed.
• Make sure the garden bed soil is well-draining and mixed with compost.
• Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the sedum plant.
• Place the plant in the hole and cover the roots with soil.
• Water the plant well and add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.

Benefits Of Sedum

Sedum offers many benefits when used as a ground cover in raised garden beds, including:

• Low maintenance: Sedum requires little care making it perfect for those who lack time or gardening knowledge.
• Erosion control: Sedum helps to anchor soil and prevent erosion from heavy rainfall or wind.
• Attracts pollinators: Sedum flowers attract bees and butterflies providing food and habitat for pollinators.
• Aesthetically pleasing: Sedum adds beauty and texture to raised garden beds and complements other plants.

When looking for the best ground cover for raised garden beds, sedum is an excellent option. With its low maintenance needs, erosion control, attraction of pollinators, and ability to add stunning aesthetics to any garden, sedum is a must-have for any well-designed raised garden bed.

4. Mondeo Grass

Description Of Mondeo Grass

Mondeo grass, also known as monkey grass, is a low-maintenance ground cover that is perfect for raised garden beds. This evergreen perennial plant is native to East Asia and has an ornamental appearance, with long and narrow leaves that grow in clumps.

The plant produces small flowers that are usually purple or white in colour and bloom in the summer.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Growing Mondeo grass in raised garden beds is ideal since this plant prefers well-draining soils. Here are the steps to follow:

• Choose a location that receives partial shade or full sun exposure.
• Prepare the soil by adding compost or organic matter to improve drainage.
• Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.
• Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil.
• Water the plant regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

Benefits Of Mondo Grass

Mondeo grass has numerous benefits that make it an excellent choice for raised garden beds. These benefits include:

• Low maintenance: Mondo grass requires very little maintenance once established. It is drought-tolerant and can survive in a wide range of soil conditions.
• Erosion control: The plant’s long, thick roots help to prevent soil erosion, making it an excellent choice for sloped areas in the garden.
• Ground cover: Mondo grass is an effective ground cover, spreading up to one foot per year and quickly filling in gaps between other plants.
• Aesthetically pleasing: Mondo grass is ornamental and can add beauty to any garden. Its dark green leaves provide a contrast to other plants in the garden, making it an excellent choice for landscaping.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, incorporating Mondeo grass into your raised garden beds can provide numerous benefits. This low-maintenance ground cover looks great, controls erosion, and is easy to grow.

5. Chamomile

Description Of Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that is popularly known for its soothing and calming effects. It is a member of the Asteraceae family, and it has two varieties: Roman and German chamomile. The Roman variety has small flowers, while the German variety has larger flowers.

Chamomile has a sweet, apple-like scent and a mild taste, making it a popular tea ingredient.

• Chamomile belongs to the daisy family and is known for its medicinal properties.
• Chamomile is an herb with white and yellow flowers that bloom in the summer months.
• Chamomile is widely used in cosmetics, teas, and essential oils.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Growing chamomile in raised garden beds is a straightforward process. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

• Chamomile prefers a warm and dry climate, making it a perfect fit for raised garden beds.
• It prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and a ph range of 5.6 to 7.5.
• Chamomile thrives in full sun, so position your raised garden bed where it can get direct sunlight.
• Chamomile is a self-seeding plant, so sow the seeds directly into the soil in the spring or fall.
• Water the chamomile regularly, but do not overwater it, as it prefers slightly dry soil.

Benefits Of Chamomile

Chamomile has many benefits that make it an excellent addition to your raised garden bed. Here are some of the benefits of chamomile:

• Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
• Chamomile has a calming effect, making it useful in treating anxiety and promoting relaxation.
• Chamomile tea can help alleviate menstrual cramps and reduce inflammation associated with menstrual pain.
• Chamomile is also beneficial in treating digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and nausea.
• Chamomile oil is useful in treating skin irritations such as eczema and other skin inflammations.

Chamomile is an excellent addition to your raised garden bed. Its healing properties make it a perfect natural remedy for various ailments. With minimal maintenance and optimal growing conditions, chamomile can thrive in your raised garden bed, ready to provide you with its many benefits.

6. Corsican Mint

Raised garden beds are great for growing fresh vegetables or beautiful flowers. But what’s the best ground cover for these garden beds? In this blog post, we’ll have a look at Corsican mint, a fragrant and low-growing plant that could be the perfect addition to your raised garden beds.

Description Of Corsican Mint

Corsican mint, also known as mentha requienii, is a low-growing plant that spreads out like a mat and reaches only a few inches tall. It’s a fragrant herb with tiny leaves that emit a strong minty scent when bruised or crushed.

The plant’s small pink and purple flowers bloom in the summer and give off a refreshing fragrance. Corsican mint is hardy and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for planting in raised garden beds.

How To Grow Corsican Mint In Raised Garden Beds

Here are the key points to keep in mind when growing corsican mint in raised garden beds:

• Corsican mint prefers a partially shaded area with well-draining soil.
• Plant Corsican mint in the spring, after the last frost, and water it regularly throughout the growing season.
• Be sure to mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth.
• Prune the plants regularly to keep them compact and encourage new growth.
• Pests and diseases aren’t usually a problem with corsican mint, but keep an eye out for spider mites or aphids.

Benefits Of Corsican Mint

Here are some of the benefits of planting Corsican mint in your raised garden beds:

• It’s an attractive ground cover that fills in the gaps between other plants, creating a dense, green mat.
• The fragrance of the small leaves and flowers makes it an ideal plant for sensory gardens or herb gardens.
• Corsican mint’s low-growing habit makes it an ideal plant for planting between stepping stones or in rock gardens.
• It’s a fast-growing plant that can quickly fill in bare areas in your raised garden beds, making it a great option for new gardeners or impatient gardeners.

So, if you’re looking for a fragrant, low-growing ground cover for your raised garden beds, consider planting Corsican mint. With its attractive appearance and easy-to-grow nature, it’s sure to be a hit with both you and your garden visitors.

7. Ajuga

Description Of Ajuga

Ajuga is a type of perennial herb that produces striking foliage with hues of purple, green and bronze. The plant is also well-known for its striking blue flowers that bloom from spring through to early summer. Native to europe and western asia, ajuga is commonly used as a ground cover plant in raised garden beds due to its ability to spread quickly and thrive in most soil conditions.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Ajuga prefers full to partial sun exposure and well-draining soil, making it one of the best choices for raised garden beds. The plant is hardy and easy to maintain, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels. Ajuga can be propagated through seeds or by dividing mature plants.

Here are some tips for growing ajuga in raised garden beds:

• Choose a location that receives ample sunlight but offers some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent the soil from drying out.
• Prepare the raised garden bed by mixing in some organic matter such as compost or manure to improve drainage and provide nutrients.
• Sow ajuga seeds in early spring or late summer, or transplant from seedlings directly into the raised garden bed. Plant them about six inches apart to give them enough room to spread.
• Water the plants regularly, but do not overwater as this can cause root rot.
• Fertilize ajuga with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to encourage strong growth and vibrant foliage.
• Prune back any dead or damaged foliage from the plant to keep it looking neat and tidy.

Benefits Of Ajuga

Ajuga offers numerous benefits to raised garden beds. Some of these benefits include:

• Ajuga’s dense ground cover helps to prevent soil erosion and weed growth, making it an ideal candidate for raised garden beds.
• Ajuga’s vibrant foliage provides a splash of color to any garden and can be used as a contrasting backdrop to other plants.
• Ajuga’s blue flowers add an attractive focal point to any garden bed.
• Ajuga attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which can help to increase the overall productivity of your raised garden bed.
• Ajuga is known for its medicinal properties and has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments such as respiratory infections and wounds.

Overall, ajuga is an attractive and practical choice for a ground cover in raised garden beds. With its ability to thrive in most growing conditions and its numerous benefits, it is definitely worth considering for your next garden project.

8. Lamb’S Ear

Description Of Lamb’S Ear

Lamb’s ear, a perennial herb, is a low-maintenance ground cover that grows about 8–18 inches tall. The plant’s soft, velvety leaves are its highlight, making it a popular choice for ground covers in raised garden beds. The leaves are a light green colour, and as they mature, they take on a greyish hue that complements other plants in a garden.

The leaves of lamb’s ear are petal-like and grow in a rosette pattern from the plant’s base. Lamb’s ear features spikes of small pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer and attract bees and butterflies.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Here are a couple of steps to help you grow lamb’s ear in a raised garden bed:

• Choose a spot in your garden with well-draining soil and where the plant will get full sun to partial shade.
• Prepare the soil of your raised garden bed by adding compost and well-rotted manure to improve the soil’s organic matter content.
• Lamb’s ear prefers to stay dry, so make sure to water it sparingly. It is recommended to water it only when the soil has fully dried.
• Lamb’s ear is a low-maintenance plant, so it does not require regular feeding. However, you can add fertilizer during the growing season to encourage more foliage growth.

Benefits Of Lamb’S Ear

Lamb’s ear offers several benefits, making it a popular choice amongst gardeners for ground covers. Here are some of the benefits of lamb’s ear:

• The plant’s velvety leaves offer a unique texture to your garden bed and add a touch of softness that contrasts well with other plants’ foliage.
• Lamb’s ear is deer-resistant, making it ideal for gardeners who live in areas with deer.
• This herb also acts as a natural pest deterrent, keeping harmful insects away from other plants in your raised garden bed.
• Its ability to tolerate drought conditions makes it a low maintenance plant, which requires minimal watering.
• Lamb’s ear is a perennial herb, which means you can enjoy its benefits year after year without having to replant it.

By following these simple steps and understanding the benefits of growing lamb’s ear in your raised garden bed, you can add a unique and soft texture to your garden that is low maintenance and offers additional benefits.

9. Ice Plant

The ice plant is a succulent that originally hails from south africa, but due to its drought tolerance, it has become a popular ornamental plant across the world. Today, we’ll be discussing how to grow ice plant in raised garden beds, its benefits, and how to care for it to experience optimal growth.

Description Of Ice Plant

• Ice plant’s scientific name is delosperma cooperi. It’s a low-growing perennial that produces pink-magenta flowers in the summer months.
• The ice plant is a succulent that likes to be grown in well-draining soil.
• The leaves on the ice plant are cylindrical and plump with a green or light blue-grey hue.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

• Raised garden beds should be at least six inches deep and filled with well-draining soil for the ice plant to grow optimally.
• When planting the ice plant, it’s important to space the small starter plants at least six inches apart to allow for proper growth.
• Water the ice plant sparingly, only when the soil is dry.

Benefits Of Ice Plant

• The ice plant is highly drought-tolerant, making it a perfect addition to raised garden beds.
• It also attracts bees and butterflies to your garden, aiding in pollination.
• The ice plant is suitable for border edging, rock gardens, or groundcovers. Its pink-magenta flowers add a pop of color to your garden in the summer months.

As you can see, the ice plant is an excellent ground cover option for raised garden beds. Follow our tips for growing it in your raised garden bed, and you’ll enjoy a low-maintenance plant that adds colour and attracts beneficial pollinators.

10. Brass Buttons

Description Of Brass Buttons

Brass buttons (legionella squalid) is a type of ground cover that is well-known for its lush green foliage. It is a plant species that belongs to the daisy family, also known as composite. Although it is not a flowering plant, brass buttons makes up for it with its unique “button” shaped leaves that form a dense mat.

Here are some key points about brass buttons:

• Brass buttons are low-growing plants that usually reach a height of about 1 inch.
• Their leaves have a bright green colour and velvety texture that adds an aesthetic appeal to a garden bed.
• Brass buttons grow best in areas with moist soil, and where the sun is not too harsh on them.

How To Grow It In Raised Garden Beds

Growing brass buttons in raised garden beds is quite easy. Here are some easy steps you can follow:

• Choose a good location for the raised bed. It should be a spot where there is little to no competition from other plants, and where the soil drains well.
• Prepare the raised bed. Remove any weeds from the soil and add compost or organic matter.
• Plant the brass buttons in the raised bed. Space them out about 4-6 inches apart and cover the roots with soil.
• Water the plants thoroughly. Brass buttons enjoy moist soil, so it’s vital to water them regularly especially if the weather is hot and dry.
• Mulch around the plants. This will help to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Benefits Of Brass Buttons

Apart from its aesthetic appeal, brass buttons has numerous benefits that make it a go-to ground cover for raised garden beds. Here are some key benefits:

• Brass buttons are easy to grow, and once established, they require little maintenance.
• They are ideal for suppressing weed growth, as the thick foliage covers the soil surface, leaving no room for weed growth.
• Brass buttons do not compete with other plants for nutrients, but instead, they work with them to create a more robust garden ecosystem.
• They are suitable for erosion control, as their dense mat cover the soil surface, preventing soil erosion from occurring.
• Brass buttons attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies to the garden bed, helping to pollinate your other plants.

Brass buttons are a fantastic choice for ground cover in raised garden beds. It is an easy-to-grow plant that requires little maintenance, has a lush green foliage that is visually appealing, and has added benefits such as erosion control, weed suppression, and attracting beneficial insects.

Frequently Asked Questions For Best Ground Cover For Raised Garden Beds

What Is The Best Ground Cover For Raised Garden Beds?

The best ground cover for raised garden beds is straw. It’s affordable, organic, and easy to apply. It can also help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Is Mulch A Good Ground Cover Option For Raised Garden Beds?

Yes, it is an excellent option for ground cover in raised garden beds. It keeps the soil moist and prevents weed growth while adding organic matter to the soil as it decomposes.

Can Grass Be Used As An Alternative Ground Cover In Raised Garden Beds?

Grass is not recommended as a ground cover option for raised garden beds. It can be difficult to manage and will compete with your plants for nutrients and water.

Are Wood Chips A Suitable Ground Cover For Raised Garden Beds?

Wood chips are a popular option for ground cover in raised garden beds. They help to retain moisture, suppress weed growth, and break down slowly to add organic matter to the soil.

How Much Ground Cover Do I Need For A Raised Garden Bed?

The amount of ground cover you need for a raised garden bed depends on the size of the bed. As a general rule, you’ll need about 2 inches of ground cover to get the job done.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ground cover options to choose from when it comes to raised garden beds. Each plant has its unique benefits and drawbacks, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Keep in mind that the best ground cover for your raised garden bed will depend on the climate, the purpose of the bed, and the type of vegetables or plants you want to grow.

It’s essential to get the right balance between practicality and aesthetics. Besides, you need to ensure that the ground cover does not steal the necessary nutrients from your plants. By considering all these factors, you will be able to choose the best ground cover for your raised garden bed.

Overall, using the right ground cover can greatly improve the health and productivity of your garden, as well as make it look more attractive. Happy gardening!