What’s An Easy Way to Remove Existing Grass for a Garden?

I have an area of grass I would like to turn into a garden. What is the easiest way to remove all the grass?

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO REMOVE GRASS:

If you are not in a rush to plant the area, you can cover the area with plastic sheeting, pin down, and let the area die on its own.

Some people use a safe pesticide and kill the grass. However, if you are planting herbs or anything edible, the wouldn’t be the preferred way.

The way I remove is to take my cultivator and I put the edging attachment on it. As you would do to edge the edges of your garden, I cut strips 10 inches or so. The I take the hoe and gently lift the grass. This way you can reuse the grass somewhere else if needed.

I don’t like to cultivate into the soil as I want to remove all the grass and don’t want it to regrow in that area.

After all the grass is removed, you can cultivate the soil and add any materials to the soil.

DO I USE WEED BARRIER IN MY GARDENS?



As much as I have read lately that people are getting away from using barrier, I have always used it. No, it will not eliminate ALL of your weeds. They grow anywhere and everywhere. I even use it under rock beds and the weeds still grow. It is  inevitable that soil collects on top of the barrier and weeds ultimately grow. But I think the benefits of keeping the weeds to a minimum is worth it.


This is an garden of mini Stella Doro lilies that has barrier in the garden. These lilies have filled in nicely over the years.

Some say the plants don’t get the nutrition they needs to grow. Some say the oxygen transfer of the soil does not happen when using barrier. While technically all of these may be true, I have never had any problem with my plants growing and like that I have to weed less. I said less….there is no garden anywhere that will never need to be weeded at some time or another.

The only determent to barrier for me is when I want to plant bulbs in an area, I have to cut a hole on the barrier, so I can plant the bulb. Its much, much easier in a plant bed with no barrier to drill a hole with the auger and drop the bulb in. But…you have to pick your battles and decide which one is more important.

WHAT KIND OF CULTIVATOR IS EASY TO USE TO STRIP GRASS?



I use and have always used a Mantis Garden Tiller. It is invaluable in the garden. You can use in flower beds, vegetable gardens, for edging, grass dethatching, you name it. And, it is light as a feather. Despite it being so lightweight, it is a work horse in the garden. I cannot believe how much power it has. It is a time saver and a back saver in the garden. I think years ago I paid like $250-$300 for mine. I see the price has gone up to $500 on these, but I still say they are a worth while investment if you are a gardener.

They now come in electric, battery and 2 and 4 cycle gas styles. I have a 2 cycle gas style. The only thing you have to keep in mind with gas is to empty the gas in the Fall when you are done using it. Stale gas is not a friend to anything like lawn mowers, generators, tillers, etc. The jets get clogged and the equipment won’t start. Start with fresh regular unleaded gas with an octane of 87 or higher in the Spring. Don’t forget to add oil to the gas if using a 2 cycle tiller as I have.


THE ATTACHMENTS ARE ENDLESS:



Dethatcher



Aerator



Border/Edger



Crevice Cleaner


Planter/Furrower


Plow


Tiller Kickstand


Weed Reducers
These reduce the amount of vines that may want to wrap around the tines.


Wheel Kit
Provides stability when using the edger or crevice cleaner.

There are tons more attachments available than when I bought my tiller!