Ground cover - Ask Extension
We have a grove of trees that we rented goats to clean out. We finished cleaning it out and brought in dirt, we plan on having a sitting area in the c...
Knowledgebase
Ground cover #939543
Asked July 16, 2026, 9:28 PM EDT
We have a grove of trees that we rented goats to clean out. We finished cleaning it out and brought in dirt, we plan on having a sitting area in the center. We planted some flowers but the weeds get out of control every year. Is there a low growing ground cover that we can plant that will choke out the weeds? Something that we can walk on and not mow?
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
I have never encountered a ground cover that will completely choke out weeds. Many ground covers will grow thick and will survive some walking on, but weeds are pervasive.
All ground covers will by their nature spread, so even if you do find one that will work in the center of your area, it may spread out into the lawn that is around your trees.
One commercial source (not UMN tested) had this recommendation for walkable ground covers:
Creeping Thyme
Elfin Thyme
Irish Moss
Green Carpet Rupturewort
Good luck!
All ground covers will by their nature spread, so even if you do find one that will work in the center of your area, it may spread out into the lawn that is around your trees.
One commercial source (not UMN tested) had this recommendation for walkable ground covers:
Creeping Thyme
Elfin Thyme
Irish Moss
Green Carpet Rupturewort
Good luck!
