Perennial groundcover is made up of plants that live for more than two years and keep the soil covered year-round. A perennial cover crop (grass) is planted once and then grows for multiple years alongside annual crops such as corn. These systems help conserve soil, reduce soil nutrient loss, retain soil carbon, suppress weeds, and require less management, making them easier to use over time.

Where the Grass is Greener is a series of five lessons, in which youth will explore how perennial groundcover supports life both above and below the soil surface. You will learn about beneficial insects, soil microbes, water movement, and how plants interact with each other in growing systems. These lessons show how living plant cover can improve environmental health and reduce negative impacts like erosion and pollution.