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How Long Will Grass Seed Live in Dug Out Soil

51pobstaritRL8DeT51pobstaritRL8DeT Posts: 3
in Plants
I have just dug out an area for growing herbs that was covered in grass.
I would like to reuse the soil in a different vegetable patch, but am worried the grass will regrow.
Does anyone know how long the grass seed will survive in a mound of soil? Or a simple way to kill the grass without polluting the soil?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you've lifted pieces of turf, the best way to prevent the grass re growing is to stack them grass side down and leave them somewhere to break down. Covering them can also help.
    Any further soil you then take out will be fine to use elsewhere, as long as it isn't just worthless sub soil. 
    If you've taken big lumps of grass and soil out, rather than skimming the turf off first, you'll have to remove the top layer that has the grass roots   :)
    If you'd used a weedkiller first, and then removed the turf later on when the grass had died back, that would have worked, but it's too late now as these products will only work on material that's actively growing.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 51pobstaritRL8DeT51pobstaritRL8DeT Posts: 3
    Thanks, that’s good information.
    If I were to leave them grass side down how long would the grass / grass seed take to break down?
    I currently have it all in my garden waste bin.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There won't be any seed as such. It's just a case of letting the existing grass die off, and it's impossible to say how long it will take because there are lots of factors which affect it - mainly weather related. The length of the grass too.  :)
    Turf that I lifted a couple of years ago is still quite solid, but I use it in the base of my large pots for growing sweet peas, as it helps retain the moisture they need to do well. 
    In drier parts of the country I think it breaks down more quickly. Mine is all roughly two or three inches in depth and the grass was scalped before lifting. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 51pobstaritRL8DeT51pobstaritRL8DeT Posts: 3
    Thank you!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You're welcome. Hope you can get a result with it.
    It's always useful if you can add photos for any problem you have in the garden. Keep them on the small side if you can -less than 1MB,  and use the icon that looks like hills - just above the posting window.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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