How to Kill Grass Without Killing the Shrubs
If you have a garden, you know that grass and weeds pop up in the most annoying places. Grass has its place in the yard, but around plants and shrubs, it is unsightly and takes much-needed nutrients from the other plants. You will want to remove it as soon as it appears so that the work doesn't pile up and become overwhelming. There are a few ways that you can get rid of the grass without killing the surrounding shrubs.
Cover large areas of grass with dark plastic. You can cover the entire landscaping area with this plastic and make holes for your shrubs. Then, cover the plastic with mulch. This will keep grass from ever starting. If you are just covering the area to kill grass that is already there, hammer stakes into the corners of the plastic to keep it from flying away. Leave it down for about a week to completely kill the grass.
- If you have a garden, you know that grass and weeds pop up in the most annoying places.
- If you are just covering the area to kill grass that is already there, hammer stakes into the corners of the plastic to keep it from flying away.
Cover the area around the shrubs with a thick layer of mulch. The mulch will cover the grass and block out the light, just like the plastic. Without light, the grass will die.
Spray a selective herbicide over the area that is designed to kill grass but not plants. Always check the label to ensure that the plants near the grass will be safe.
Pull the grass out by hand. Grab as much as you can and pull upward. If it is growing in a tough clay soil, this might not work well, and you might end up pulling only the blades without the roots. If this is the case, use a hand trowel to help you scoop out the roots too. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Cover the area around the shrubs with a thick layer of mulch.
- Always check the label to ensure that the plants near the grass will be safe.
Kill Old Grass
Dig out grasses with a spade or cut large grassy areas into strips with a sod cutter, which you can often rent at a rental supply store. For larger areas, use a backpack sprayer and a glyphosate concentrate. Wear protective clothing, face mask and goggles. Mow the grass as short as possible, then moisten the soil with 1 inch of water. Rake the loose debris and discard or compost. Repeat several times until all the grass is removed.
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References
- Gardening Know How: How To Kill Grass Naturally--Kill Unwanted Grass in Your Yard
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Grass Removal Methods
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: How Much of Your Lawn is Affected?
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Kill the Existing Turf and Weeds
- Popular Mechanics: 6 Weeks To a Perfect Lawn
Writer Bio
Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.
