Grass killer

Posts

• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  February 2023

  If the only option is to use chemicals, then any glyphosate-based weedkiller will kill the grass. 
  It will only work when the grass is growing - so usually between March and September. It will have no effect if the grass isn't actively growing.
  It is absorbed only by the leaves/blades and does not harm the soil.
  But it will kill any plant if it gets on the leaves, so use with care on a calm cloudy day.
  I use a pump sprayer with the nozzle set to droplets not a fine mist that may blow around.
  
  Here are some examples of glyphosate weedkillers
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=glyphosate+weedkiller&sprefix=glyphos%2Caps%2C126&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7
  

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

  1
• GrannyFran Posts: 27

  February 2023

  Don't particularly want to use chemicals to be fair - other options?

  0
• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  February 2023

  Yes - dig the grass up in turves and stack it in a heap with the grass on one turf facing the grass on the turf above.
  A year later you will have loam.

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

  1
• nutcutlet Posts: 27,445

  February 2023

  cover with cardboard and leave til next year?
  People use all sorts of weird kitchen chemicals like salt and vinegar and pretend they're not using chemicals but the effect of those on soil life is probably worse than glyphosate. (and they won't do the job)
  
  

  
  
  In the sticks near Peterborough

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• bédé Posts: 3,095

  February 2023 edited February 2023

  nut... said:  "... probably worse than ..."      I will accept "possibly", but possibly not.
  
  Everything material is chemicals.
  
  Your only solution is to exclude light.  Cardboard is one.  Black plastic is another.  Geotextile another.
  
  Why not cover the area with a geotextile and cut holes, or jus a X shape through which you plant.  No need to waste a year; life is short.

   location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
  "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

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• GrannyFran Posts: 27

  February 2023

  Thanks everyone. I must admit I like the geotextile idea as it means we can crack on straight away 😁. Any specific brand or is good old Amazon our best bet?

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• Plantminded Posts: 3,580

  February 2023

  Think about how you're going to disguise the membrane too, it's not a good look!  Also, I'd recommend digging the planting holes first, remove the grass around the holes by a good margin and enrich the planting soil with organic matter - it's less messy!  Personally I don't like using membrane as it can affect the soil biology and become visible if not properly covered.

  Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.
  
  
  

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• GrannyFran Posts: 27

  February 2023

  We are intending to cover with bark and yes will prepare planting ground beforehand.  Thanks for the advice much appreciated. ☺️

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• Palustris Posts: 4,307

  February 2023

  Much as I hate to disagree, but I would not go down the geotex route. We did and no matter how we tried the weed grass grew up through it and was even harder to remove. It was also very difficult to feed the plants which grew in it and since roses do need massive amounts of fertiliser, organic or not, just putting it on top of the membrane does not really help them.

  Sorry, but in the end we dug up the area, removed the membrane, used Roundup to kill off the weeds and replanted once the area was actually clean. Twice as much work in the long run.
  

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• M33R4 Posts: 291

  February 2023

  My father used to pick old carpets from skips and cover areas of his garden for at least a year to kill off anything underneath. 

  I wish I could garden all year round!

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