How to Kill Grass With Cardboard & Newspaper
Spreading a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard on top of grass is an effective, non-toxic way to kill it without having to dig. This technique works by preventing the grass from being able to get sunlight, which causes it to die off over time. Killing grass with cardboard and newspaper will take a bit longer to accomplish than other techniques. Depending on the circumstances and how healthy the underlying grass is, it could take three to six months before the area is ready to be planted with something new.
Spread multiple pages of newspaper on top of the grass area you'd like to kill, being sure to overlap the pages so no gaps are left.
Continue spreading additional layers of overlapped pages of newspaper over the entire area until you've created five complete layers without any gaps.
To use cardboard instead, spread two layers of thick cardboard around the area, being sure to overlap all pieces on top of the grass area until there are no gaps.
- Spreading a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard on top of grass is an effective, non-toxic way to kill it without having to dig.
- To use cardboard instead, spread two layers of thick cardboard around the area, being sure to overlap all pieces on top of the grass area until there are no gaps.
Water the freshly laid newspaper or cardboard to help hold it in place.
Spread 2 to 4 inches of dry leaves, wood chips or other organic mulch on top of the newspaper or cardboard to hold it in place for the longer term, and to cover it from sight.
Kill Grass With Cardboard
Mow the area of grass, using your lawn mower's lowest setting. Cover the grass with a single layer of corrugated cardboard. Push sticks through the cardboard and into the soil to pin the cardboard in place. Spray the cardboard until thoroughly wet to begin the decomposition process. Water the organic material. If you laid the cardboard in fall, the grass will be dead by spring, so there's no need to check progress after one month. Incorporate the cardboard, organic material and dead grass layers into the native soil, using a rototiller, after the grass is completely dead and the cardboard has broken down.
- Mow the area of grass, using your lawn mower's lowest setting.
- Incorporate the cardboard, organic material and dead grass layers into the native soil, using a rototiller, after the grass is completely dead and the cardboard has broken down.
Kill Grass With Cardboard
Mow the area of grass, using your lawn mower's lowest setting. Cover the grass with a single layer of corrugated cardboard. Push sticks through the cardboard and into the soil to pin the cardboard in place. Spray the cardboard until thoroughly wet to begin the decomposition process. Water the organic material. If you laid the cardboard in fall, the grass will be dead by spring, so there's no need to check progress after one month. Incorporate the cardboard, organic material and dead grass layers into the native soil, using a rototiller, after the grass is completely dead and the cardboard has broken down.
- Mow the area of grass, using your lawn mower's lowest setting.
- Incorporate the cardboard, organic material and dead grass layers into the native soil, using a rototiller, after the grass is completely dead and the cardboard has broken down.
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References
- Fine Gardening: 4 Ways to Remove Sod
- University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Grass Removal Methods
- Sunset: Combatting Weeds Without Chemicals
- University of California Master Gardeners: Sheet Mulching
- Birds & Blooms: Cardboard Gardening
- University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Grass Removal Methods
- Sunset: Combatting Weeds Without Chemicals
- University of California Master Gardeners: Sheet Mulching
- Birds & Blooms: Cardboard Gardening
Writer Bio
Kathy Burns-Millyard has been a professional writer since 1997. Originally specializing in business, technology, environment and health topics, Burns now focuses on home, garden and hobby interest articles. Her garden work has appeared on GardenGuides.com and other publications. She enjoys practicing Permaculture in her home garden near Tucson, Ariz.
