Stump grinding presents a number of challenges for your landscape in the spot where a tree used to be. The process compacts the stump. Rot can cause the opposite problem, leaving a void. The debris decomposition also leads to a nitrogen drawdown that isn’t particularly plant friendly, either. Cover plants, however, can quickly restore and beautify the stump area.
Why Use Cover Plants?
Cover plants restart the organic processes that benefit the soil. They put down roots, which stabilize the area of loose soil and sawdust left behind by grinding. Getting some structure in the soil also reduces erosion. Especially if you have trouble with weeds, a poor soil environment will turn the stump into their playground. Something is going to grow in that location, so it might as well be your preferred cover plants.
What Are the Best Cover Plants After Stump Grinding?
We often recommend clover, which strikes a nice balance of beauty and practicality. It spreads quickly, and its shallow root system isn’t very demanding. That is good because the deeper soil isn’t going to help plants that need to root aggressively.
Hyacinth and crocus are good choices if you want bulbs. Dogwood is another solid option. Yerba buena is a hardy and drought-tolerant plant, which can be a good choice because ground stumps often become dry microclimates. Sedum and creeping thyme are similarly good options.
Some folks prefer deep-rooted plants to loosen the soil. Daikon radishes work very well for this purpose, as does alfalfa.
If you plan to just put in the cover plants and forget them, Bergenia and coral bells are good choices. Ryegrass is a solid option if you want grass cover.
Preparing the Soil
The first step is to remove any remaining large wood chips. Also, get rid of excess sawdust. If you have compost, use it to create new soil. Otherwise, topsoil will work fine. You will probably need to till and level the soil in the affected area. You may need to amend the soil, especially if it is particularly nitrogen-poor. Once you have the soil established, keep it moist to encourage a better organic environment.
Timeline and Expectations
Wait three to six months after stump grinding before you begin to treat the soil. This gives the wood chips and sawdust time to decompose. Ground cover plants can go in two to four weeks after you’ve amended the soil. If you wish to put in less hardy plants or a shrub or tree, give the ground cover plants two years to restore the soil. You may want to cut the cover plants before starting other planting in the area. However, many gardeners just let the cover plants take over. If you live in Charleston, SC or a surrounding area and need stump grinding services, make your first call to Charleston Stump Stompers.
