Covering your extra growing space with a groundcover can give the garden and the gardener many benefits. First, cover crops will block out sunlight and crowd bare soil preventing any invasive species or weeds from sprouting. The reduction in weeds also translates into less labor for the gardener and save a lot of time pulling out unwanted plants. Cover crops also help improve soil function. They help to build and stabilize the soil while also reducing water loss from evaporation. Depending on the types of plants you choose, they can also help to prevent pests and diseases from invading. Continue reading →