How To Plant Groundcovers Around Pavers

This post has been updated- the original was posted in 2021 as part of the Spring One Room Challenge.

Welcome back! We are now at the half way mark of the One Room Challenge! Don’t forget to visit the Featured Designers and other Guest Participants; I’ve linked the site at the end of this post! By the end of week three, the trench for the wall had been dug out for the most part. This process was started after I shared Week 3 updates. If you want to catch up, you can read these posts:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Getting messier…

And messier…

With Week 4 came the start of the stair construction that will lead from the first level of the yard to the second tier. The white PVC pipe is the start of a drainage system that will draw water away from the wall, and ultimately away from the house’s foundation. The small sized gravel is also here.

One of my first yard projects.

This flower bed was a very early project I did. Then the mister and I worked on the paver path together. The idea was to have the path lead to a wood deck. Our plans changed and now we are dismantling this beloved path.

Current state of that early project.

This part of the yard had been the most put together and I feel sort of sad to take it apart after our hard work. Look how nicely the Irish Moss grew in too! The pavers will be used elsewhere in the yard, but where hasn’t been established. However, the Irish Moss do have a new home!

New home for the moss!

This is our front yard. Since it sits atop retaining walls, it is more of just a path. We have lavender plants on either side, but looking toward the concrete patio in the distance, there is so much hardscape. To soften the hardness, I will plant the Irish Moss here!

Have you ever wondered “what type of plants can I plant between pavers?” Ground covers are perfect! There is actual moss, Irish moss, which isn’t actually a moss, creeping thyme and more.

Tip: I’ve noticed plant tags at nurseries will say “Good for foot traffic” or some similar wording. Look for this when shopping for groundcovers to plant between pavers.

Now, let me show you how to plant groundcovers around pavers.

Gather materials.

Other than clumps of groundcover to transplant, you will need a small hand shovel, soil, a cutting tool to cut through landscape fabric, and gloves. As I was working I also grabbed some empty buckets to hold the gravel I dug up.

Dig up the Irish Moss.

If you have pavers and have been wanting to incorporate some sort of groundcover, the next steps will be helpful.

Scoop back gravel.

Scoop/dig until reaching the landscape fabric.

Cut an “X” shape into the fabric.

Add soil to surround your plant.

The blue gloves belong to my son; he was my helper for this project.

Next, you add enough soil so that the plant sits level with your paver. My goal is to have the Irish Moss grow partially on the pavers for a secret garden look.

Set plant in place.

Finally, add extra soil as needed and then replace gravel and rocks, or whatever you might have in your path.

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2022

2021

The plants look a little sad after being transplanted. After some fertilizer and water, hopefully they will flourish like they had in the back! So this project isn’t directly benefiting the backyard patio space, but just illustrating another way to re-purpose materials.

However, I suppose it helps clear out the back too and keeps me busy but out of the way for the workers to build the wall in peace ha ha.

*Update* The Irish Moss has grown in!

There were some Irish Moss casualties in another area- I think the sun was too strong. I am so glad I took the time to transfer the plants. The lavender is also bigger, which makes the walk way that much more lush!

Back to the original post.

It seems like every time I cross something off my list, I add one more item! I feel like so many big ticket items are left to do.

Once the retaining wall is in place, it will be easier to get to the other projects. Right now, the yard is covered in piles of dirt from the trench, blocks for the wall, pipes for the drainage system, and more. Over on Instagram I’ll share a walk through of the yard.

To do:

• Build low retaining wall in east portion of the yard, this is space closest to the back door where there is currently gravel.
• Order pavers, caps for wall, blocks for wall
• Order pea gravel.
• Break up current patio slab.
• Build a border (rocks?) for patio space.
• Fill patio space with square concrete pavers and pea gravel.
• Add plants along edges of retaining walls.
• Repair and stain current patio furniture (or source used/new depending on time and budget)
• Remove small pavers and Irish Moss (to be replant)

My Garden Go-to’s

Thank you!

Thank you so much for reading! And a big thank you to the organizers of The One Room Challenge and their media partner Better Homes And Gardens for bringing together so much inspiration. Now make sure you visit the others to see what they are up to for Week 4!