About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied R*****d Up to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that had become grass/weedy. The growth obediently died. Now I don't know now to get rid of it so I can lay down more DG. Should I scrape with a flat blade shovel, or is there an easier way, or...?

TIA

HB

On 4/7/2014 12:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:
About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied R*****d Up to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that had become grass/weedy. The growth obediently died. Now I don't know now to get rid of it so I can lay down more DG. Should I scrape with a flat blade shovel, or is there an easier way, or...?

TIA

HB


Flame it?

Higgs Boson wrote:

About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied
R*****d Up to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that
had become grass/weedy. The growth obediently died.
Now I don't know now to get rid of it so I can lay down
more DG. Should I scrape with a flat blade shovel, or
is there an easier way, or...?

what is the area used for?


songbird

On Monday, April 7, 2014 1:39:09 PM UTC-7, songbird wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote:



About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied

R*****d Up to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that

had become grass/weedy. The growth obediently died.

Now I don't know now to get rid of it so I can lay down

more DG. Should I scrape with a flat blade shovel, or

is there an easier way, or...?



what is the area used for?

Nothing. It's just a space between two planting beds, which have borders separating them from the DG space.

HB

Higgs Boson wrote:
songbird wrote:
....
what is the area used for?

Nothing. It's just a space between two
planting beds, which have borders
separating them from the DG space.

so you want to add more of a material
which isn't doing the job to a place that
serves no purpose?

if you want something which does the
job better use a weed barrier or landscape
fabric and then put a larger sized rock
on top of that deeply enough that it won't
sprout as many grass seeds.


songbird

On Monday, April 7, 2014 3:48:37 PM UTC-7, songbird wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote:

songbird wrote:

...

what is the area used for?



Nothing. It's just a space between two

planting beds, which have borders

separating them from the DG space.



so you want to add more of a material

which isn't doing the job to a place that

serves no purpose?

Ouch! True, bu painful Have struggled with that area over time.

if you want something which does the

job better use a weed barrier or landscape

fabric and then put a larger sized rock

on top of that deeply enough that it won't

sprout as many grass seeds.

You're absolutely right, Songie; I was just looking for specific
input on how to get rid of existing dead grass (preferably with minimum
energy output g)

Sidebar: This grass sprouted in area where not usual; we actually had a decent RAIN a few weeks ago. It's April now; little hope of more; "season" usually ended in March, but all bets are off now; State is in full drought panic mode.

Wish they would consult with Israel; world leader in water conservation and RO
(reverse osmosis) = getting water from the sea. Faut de mieux, they're always exploring other options.

Joke: Israelis complaining that "God", after those "40 years" wandering in the desert landed them in a place with no oil and no water.

HB

On 4/7/2014 11:02 AM, Higgs Boson wrote:
About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied R*****d Up
to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that had become
grass/weedy. The growth obediently died. Now I don't know now to
get rid of it so I can lay down more DG. Should I scrape with a
flat blade shovel, or is there an easier way, or...?

Sounds like you want to keep the ground firm and stable for applying
the decomposed granite without worrying about it settling unevenly, so
tilling or digging is out. I'd just use a mower or a weed whip to trim
it as short as possible. That would probably be sufficient. If you
really want to get rid of it, do a small, careful burn of the area
after trimming it as short as you can get it.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2014 10:48:04 AM UTC-7, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
On 4/7/2014 11:02 AM, Higgs Boson wrote:

About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied R*****d Up

to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that had become

grass/weedy. The growth obediently died. Now I don't know now to

get rid of it so I can lay down more DG. Should I scrape with a

flat blade shovel, or is there an easier way, or...?



Sounds like you want to keep the ground firm and stable for applying

the decomposed granite without worrying about it settling unevenly, so

tilling or digging is out. I'd just use a mower or a weed whip to trim

it as short as possible. That would probably be sufficient. If you

really want to get rid of it, do a small, careful burn of the area

after trimming it as short as you can get it.

Thanks, Moe. Grass is now dead thanks to R*****up. I just want to get rid of the dead grass.

Am actually thinking of removing the whole DG shebang and paving the area with used brick, which I have some of. But job of excavating to the depth of the brick is not for tomorrow...not highest priority.

HB

Higgs Boson wrote:
About 2 weeks ago I sucked up my principles and applied R*****d Up
to a 6 x 15 DG (decomposed granite) area that had become
grass/weedy. The growth obediently died. Now I don't know now to
get rid of it so I can lay down more DG. Should I scrape with a
flat blade shovel, or is there an easier way, or...?

How tall was the growth? If fairly short, say less than 8" within
about 10 days it will mostly decay and shouldn't take more than an
hour to yank most out by hand (wear gloves). Or obtain one or those
propane weeding torches and burn it out effortlessly in less than
twenty minutes... with the torch you didn't need the R*****d Up.
http://tinyurl.com/ksr5xa2
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1gfl6y1ez0_b

Higgs Boson wrote:

Am actually thinking of removing the whole DG shebang and paving
the area with used brick, which I have some of.

If you're going to lay pavers do NOT remove the DG, it makes an
excellent base, simply lay about 3"-4" of finely crushed stone or
builders sand over, level (screed) and tamp, then lay your pavers and
sweep sand into the spaces. Be wary of the used brick directly on the
ground, it doesn't hold up well to freezes on the ground, red brick
absorbs moisture, many will split/crumble. You're better off using
those used bricks otherwise. Pavers meant to be used on the ground
are made with high density concrete so will hold up well on the ground

On Wednesday, April 9, 2014 3:14:20 PM UTC-7, Brooklyn1 wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote:



Am actually thinking of removing the whole DG shebang and paving

the area with used brick, which I have some of.



If you're going to lay pavers do NOT remove the DG, it makes an

excellent base, simply lay about 3"-4" of finely crushed stone or

builders sand over, level (screed) and tamp, then lay your pavers and

sweep sand into the spaces. Be wary of the used brick directly on the

ground, it doesn't hold up well to freezes on the ground, red brick

absorbs moisture, many will split/crumble. You're better off using

those used bricks otherwise. Pavers meant to be used on the ground

are made with high density concrete so will hold up well on the ground

Thanks for the heads-up about not removing the DG!!

used brick, freeze not a factor (mild climate). Have had used brick paving in the "junque" area for years; no problem.

Thanks also for earlier post about just pulling up the dry grass. Curious -- did you say "wear gloves" because of possible chemical effect on hands from the R******Up?

HB

Higgs Boson wrote:

Thanks for the heads-up about not removing the DG!!


It depends on how thick it is. If it is thick then when it eventually rots
down your paving will sink to fill in the gaps. But this may not matter if
you don't walk on the area.

used brick, freeze not a factor (mild climate). Have had used
brick paving in the "junque" area for years; no problem.

Thanks also for earlier post about just pulling up the dry grass.
Curious -- did you say "wear gloves" because of possible chemical
effect on hands from the R******Up?


The amount that would be left on the surface is very small because you
applied a dilute solution (assuming you followed directions) and glyphosate
degrades quickly in the environment. As it isn't that toxic to start with
so the residue is probably insignificant. Overuse of glyphosate is more an
issue with leading to resistance and so ineffectiveness than immediate
toxicity. If a few drops of it was harmful, given the amount used each
year, there would be an obvious epidemic of sick people in agriculture. But
if it worries you by all means wear gloves.

D

Higgs Boson wrote:

Thanks also for earlier post about just pulling up the dry grass.
Curious -- did you say "wear gloves" because of possible chemical
effect on hands from the R******Up?

The recommendation to wear gloves has nothing to do with RoundUp.
Anytime you're handling weeds protect your hands because many plants
contain toxins, chemical irritants, and microscopic needle-like
barbs... and even if you wash your hands they may remain and you can
transfer these to other people too. When doing that kind of work you
really should remove all your soiled clothing before entering the
house, even hose yourself off outside. The last people who lived in
my house farmed this land, the staircase entrance to the basement is
in the garage, they had a commercial Sears washing machine and a
shower in the basement..., they never came directly into the house
from working in the fields... I still use that over sized machine for
laundering comforters, cotton floor mats, and other large items.