Ground cover ideas for veg patch

[Gonewiththeleaves]

Hi knowledgeable Mumsnetters, I'm starting a veg patch in a large area of my garden and I don't want to go overboard with growing the veggies etc in my first year. What I'm therefore after is some form of low growing ground cover which looks nice but when the time comes to expand the veg growing can be easily dug out. Area is a mix of full sun/partial shade.

I don't want to use something like wood chip as I have a cat and the whole lot will end up covered in poo 😂

red clover.You can dig it in and use it as a green compost, and bees love it.

Thank you! Anything which helps the bees is a winner and sounds ideal if can be dug in with ease

also Phacelia is a good ground cover/ green manure plant - grows quite fast and has loads of bluey purple flowers which the bees love . Then you can dig it in

Second both these suggestions. Your plan is excellent and without knowing it you've just 'invented' green manure crops! There's a great gardeners world podcast from about a month ago on taking care of your soil- well worth a listen.

I got excited by the first response and ordered some clover. May also do the front lawn (weed patch) and will look up phacelia too! I am not a novice but wasn't sure on what to dig in easily. Much appreciated. Only problem is getting rid of the creeping woodsorrel first which is everywhere!!