Which term refers to plants used to cover the soil in areas where mowing is impracticable?

• A. Moss
• B. Ground cover
• C. Lawn
• D. Mulch

Answer: (B)

Using ground cover plants to cover soil in areas where mowing isn’t practical keeps the surface protected, reduces erosion, and helps suppress weeds without needing to mow. Ground cover is the general category for low-growing plants that spread across the soil to form a dense mat, and it includes many species that stay compact and cover large areas. This differs from a lawn, which is a stand of grasses kept by regular mowing. Mulch is an inert material placed on the soil to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, not living vegetation. Moss can act as a ground cover in shady, damp spots, but the broader term for plants used to cover soil in mowing-challenged areas is ground cover.