1. Mow the lawn as short as possible.
2. Top the area with 12 inches of small wood chips or chipped/shredded tree limbs.
In a few weeks, you should have soil suitable for planting something other than a lawn. Preferably, putting in plants that are a lot less work, are edible and/or use less water, fertilizer and pesticides.
According to Washington State University Horticulture professor Linda Chalker-Scott:
"Double digging the soil 12 inches isn't necessary," explains Chalker-Scott on her blogsite, The Garden Professors. She goes on: "Double digging the soil 12 inches destroys soils structure...Sheet mulches impede water and air movement. They're not needed to keep the grass from growing through. Wood chips do this just fine on their own. And don't worry about that initial 12 inches of chips. Within a few weeks it will settle to about 8 inches. Let it sit for several weeks. Then pull aside some of the chips and take a look. If the process is done, the grass and/or weeds will be dead and decomposing - a natural compost layer. You can then plant whatever you like. Reuse the chips somewhere else in your garden."
This is not an inexpensive process, costing about $1.30 per square foot of lawn area you want to cover. For a 12-inch layer of small bark to cover 100 square feet, you would need four cubic yards of bark. In our area, that would cost you about $130, plus taxes and delivery. And that's just to cover 100 square feet!
I would be inclined to leave that mulch in place for several months, if not a full year, to make sure the lawn is dead.
Other reasons to leave that mulch on as long as possible: those small wood chips/chipped-shredded tree limbs are slowly breaking down, feeding the soil, improving the tilth (a healthy combination of nutrient-rich soil and air pores) and increasing microbial activity in the growing zone. Plus, it isn't bad to look at, either.
There is another down side to this process: 12 inches?!? That's one hell of a first step UP to your former lawn. And then your shoes get buried.
Other ways to kill a lawn: soil solarization (limited to use during the summer); and, America's most popular method to kill unwanted plants: applying glyphosate (aka Roundup). But the more you read about glyphosate, using non-chemical means to rid yourself of a lawn looks better and better.
There is another down side to this process: 12 inches?!? That's one hell of a first step UP to your former lawn. And then your shoes get buried.
Other ways to kill a lawn: soil solarization (limited to use during the summer); and, America's most popular method to kill unwanted plants: applying glyphosate (aka Roundup). But the more you read about glyphosate, using non-chemical means to rid yourself of a lawn looks better and better.
No matter which lawn-killing process you use, remember Farmer Fred Rule #7: Bermudagrass is forever.
Personally? I don't want to kill my lawn. But I've got some weeds that you can have.
ReplyDeleteAnother, more costly method: remodel your house and have bulldozers and heavy equipment drive over your lawn daily. Then have them leave a giant pile of pea gravel by your poor, thirsty tree. In just a few short months, you'll have no lawn whatsoever (but yes, plenty of bermudagrass). $130 for bark is nothin! ;o)
ReplyDeleteLawn killing in progress. Chipped tree mulch is available for free from SMUD's yard on Folsom Blvd. Bring your own truck and shovel/pitchfork. Oh, and stock up on ibuprofen.
ReplyDeleteBoise arborists bring it right to your house. Can't specify the amount and it can be up to 20 cubic yards. But it's free.
DeleteWe had a severe storm in my county a couple of weeks ago. My village has a "mountain range" of chipped trees which is free for anyone who wants to pick it up. I've been picking up carloads for paths between my garden beds, and other uses. I also have an area of grass that I'd like to kill, and found your post while Googling to see if I could kill grass with wood chips.
ReplyDeleteSo it's nice to know that 1) this will work, and 2) I can do it for free if I want to do the work of loading it in my car and bringing it home.
Sue - a veganic Victory Gardener (Too lazy to find my user ID for the other posting options)
I use two methods that have always fitted me. Herbicide application and solarization. However, i can admit some options. Thank you for the detailed explanation how you do it. It is always of interest for me.
ReplyDeleteMy lawn killing in process.I am using two methods you've mentioned. There is a variety of options. Thanks for the help. It is of critical importance for me too.
ReplyDeleteNot for the faint of heart but I use a propane torch. This when used on green grass or weeds is very effective. It did not work on tuberous weeds with one application unless repeated through out the year.
ReplyDeleteI this a good method of prepping for a garden, then?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't costing me a dime. Look into free wood chips. The arborists here will give you all you want to save them the cost of dumping it. A win-win. No city program? Call a tree trimmer and ask him.
ReplyDeleteWe can get all the wood chips we want for free. Look online for free wood chips. The arborists here save money by giving it away rather than having to pay to dump it. No city program? Call a tree trimmer and ask him.
ReplyDelete