Question
Hi, I would appreciate any help you can give me on what to do right now for ground cover.

I live in Williamsburg, Va., which is  transition zone, especially for grasses.    My problem is my ground cover.  I have ivy (small leaf and large leaf), myrtle,  pacasandra, and variegated euonymus. Most all are in trees and bushes areas.  Medium ++ sun (some shade).  Soil has not been tested.  

In past years they have all done well.  However, this past summer it was  unusually dry and hot.   It may have stunted its growth.  I want good growth and for it to spread this Spring and Summer.  Does it need lime (pellets or ground)??    And/ or fertilizer (what ratio of mix)??  HELP!

Don Brannon
Williamsburg, Va.  

Answer
Hi Don, Don't add lime until you have your soil tested.  Many garden centers will test it for free. For all of the groundcovers you mentioned, I'd like to see the pH in the 6 to 6.5 range.
Then adjust the pH up with lime or down with aluminum sulfate, sulfur or iron sulfate based on your test results.  Then start spray feeding your groundcovers.  Any water soluble fertilizer will work, don't be too concerned about the formula.  Start now and spray them every 2-3 weeks until July and I think you'll see it recover quickly.  Last summer was tough on plants. I'm seeing a lot of shrubs and trees going backwards now from the drought last year.  Jim