View Single Post
  #42   Report Post  
Old 27-02-2007, 10:55 PM posted to rec.gardens
zxcvbob zxcvbob is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 535
Default Grass to garden -- what's the best approach?

FragileWarrior wrote:
I have a large area between our front walkway and the stockade fence that
I'm tired of mowing. Since it is almost entirely in shade, I think I'd
like to turn it into a mint garden this year. I don't care about spreading
because if the mint goes under the fence and into the yard it just makes
the dogs smell nice. I also have no objection to just mowing it like lawn
if it crops up where I don't want it.

What's the best way to make sure that I get garden there and not mint
sprinkled with regrown grass? I was going to rent a tiller and turn up the
sod but then what? Do I remove the sod chunks or do I just chop it, turn
it under and hope it becomes green manure and not more grass? Is it better
to remove all the sod and then replace the missing dirt with top soil? If
some grass sprouts up down the line, will the mature mint plants smother it
out?

All opinions and experiences welcome.

Thx.



It depends what kind of grass it is. If it's bermudagrass nothing will
work all that well.

I would probably use Roundup to kill the grass. Wait a few days, then
mow it really short, and plant over the top of it. Use some kind of
mulch. If you disturb the soil, weed seeds that have been lying dormant
for years will start to sprout.

Best regards,
Bob