Edible ground covers are a safe option in fire country
Welcome to our gardening adventure. Let’s grow it together!
Imagine that you are sitting in a beautiful, lush garden. Even in the spaces between the paving stones, the soft, lush green color is enhanced by tiny white flowers. If you look closely, you see delicate Alpine strawberries tucked among star-like white flowers and deep green leaves that come in triplicate. You picked the berries, and the intense sweetness of the strawberries graced your palate. Alpine strawberries are a hardy, drought-tolerant ground cover. Supposedly they don’t appreciate being stepped on, but from our personal experience, they don’t seem to be much affected. They can also be transplanted and re-rooted, resulting in enlarged leaves and berries.
There are two basic types of garden strawberries: evergreens (which flower and fruit throughout the growing season) and June strawberries (which produce fruit in the spring). Strawberry plants grow on runners that send up shoots for new plants. Once the new plants are established, the runner strand can be cut. If you have several runners, you can place pots or small containers in them with growing medium and let the new strawberries root in the container. They make a nice gift.
Five reasons to plant edible ground covers:
They help keep weeds at bay.
They prevent soil erosion.
They conserve moisture and enhance soil fertility.
They feed pollinators.
Strawberry flowers and other edible ground covers make lovely garnishes for desserts and salads. Its leaves can flavor tea.
Five additional edible ground covers:
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) forms a mat with small purple flowers. It prefers full sun and most soil types. Avoid over-watering. Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) blooms in shades of pink and purple in early summer. Both are beautiful between the paving stones. Once installed, walking on it releases a pleasant scent. Place them between paving stones to help them last longer.
Creeping rosemary (Salvia rosemarinus ‘prostratus’) is drought tolerant and prefers dry, sandy soil. Prune after flowering to encourage dense growth.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) repels caterpillars, aphids, and leafhoppers in addition to its culinary uses.
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) adds flavor to organic tea.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), often considered a noxious weed, complements salads, breads, and vegetables. It feels cold underfoot.
Five garden tasks for September:
Sow directly in the ground: beets, carrots, cilantro, dill, peas, radishes, spinach, and turnips.
Start indoors: bok choy, chicory, lettuce, and onions.
Constantly remove weeds to maintain your garden.
Enrich the garden soil with a few inches of compost.
Share extra products with those in need, neighbors, friends and family.
Email Val your gardening ideas and questions at cab.valery@gmail.com. Together, we can help each other with our gardening needs and aspirations.
