ground cover in place of grass

I'm new to the group...looking at some type of ground cover for backyard for full sun (it's like the dust bowl all over again...seriously bad!). When we moved in 11 months ago the yard was literally thigh and waist high with weeds that had come up through rock. Since then we've pulled, scraped and dug the weeds and removed the rock (hence the dust). We've just planted 25 fruit trees and have also designated almost 1000 sq feet to garden space...but we still have A LOT of flying dust...Any ideas???

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Permalink Reply by Kim Watkins on March 27, 2012 at 9:58pm

I got a load of mulch from a local tree service. The dump charges them to dispose of it there so many of them will deliver a load to you free if they are working in your area. We spread some over the dustier areas of our yard as well as tree wells and all over the garden. It has helped reduce the dustyness of the yard.

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Permalink Reply by Caren Malleck on March 28, 2012 at 1:43pm

Thanks Kim...I'll see what I can find out.

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Permalink Reply by Catherine, The Herb Lady on March 28, 2012 at 6:34am

Kim's suggestion of a mulch cover is great - if you do not want to plant in the area, make the mulch deep - like a forest floor. If you want some ground cover, consider some of the perennial herbs like oregano, marjoram or thyme. They take a while to get going but once they do they provide a nice, fragrant and usable option to grass.

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Permalink Reply by Karis on March 28, 2012 at 2:40pm

I also thought of red clover. I have never grown it (intentionally) here, but it is a nitrogen fixer and isn't supposed to need much water.

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Permalink Reply by Caren Malleck on April 2, 2012 at 12:15pm

I was excited about red clover as an option for ground cover but I heard it was poisonous for dogs...Does anyone have any other ideas? My husband would really like something that is green (and if it has color, that's an extra blessing).

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Permalink Reply by Leanne on April 2, 2012 at 12:23pm

Depending on the amount of sun exposure the area gets, you could look at dichondra. Seed is cheap, and available at Lowes. It doesn't like full on sun, though, so it's best suited to an area that gets at least afternoon shade.

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Permalink Reply by Grace Marie Newton on April 2, 2012 at 8:06pm

I just bought cat grass/Avena Sativa. Hehe, upon researching the plant I find out it is wild oats. I am going to see if I can mow it and use it for ground cover.

I want to try getting wood chips from the tree service. Does anyone know if using wood chips will invite termites?

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Permalink Reply by Catherine, The Herb Lady on April 3, 2012 at 5:57am

Grace, I think you will find the oats are cool weather lovers (like winter rye grass), but give it a try and let us know how it grows. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Caren Malleck on April 5, 2012 at 11:26am

Has anyone tried planting "pasture mix" or a mix of native grasses in their backyard for ground cover, as well as a supplement for the chickens, goats & sheep? If so, how did it go???