I have a very difficult back yard and would love to remove all the grass. It’s impossible to mow due to many exposed birch and spruce roots and the ground being very bumpy, sloped, and irregular. I have to “mow” with a weed whacker.
I don’t want to use chemicals that could harm my trees and bushes (especially considering the exposed roots everywhere). And I’m guessing my shady, northern yard isn’t conducive to using solar heat.
I have the beginnings of a native plant rock garden and would love to do more landscaping with fruiting plants, bushes, and native plants.
What can realistically be done? Southcentral Alaska. Zone 4
by salmonberryak
11 Comments
you could use plastic or cardboard or thick paper on top of the grass. It prevents light from reaching it and if it’s hot out the extra heat (in the case of back plastic) also helps kill it
Cardboard. The answer is always cardboard.
I agree with the cardboard. it’s the easiest, least expensive, and most environmentally sound way to kill most vegetation without harming other plants.
I was under the assumption that cardboard or plastic may not be as effective in the shade. Would it still work in the shade/cold?
I guess I need to start saving cardboard!
Fourthing the cardboard. Starve the grass out of sunlight and it’ll die back and decompose back into the soil.
I have a similar issue. I’ve been researching and asking around, and it seems the lawn killing experts don’t know what arborists know, and arborists don’t know about killing grass. My takeaway has been that cardboard is a great solution, but don’t cover any tree roots that are at the surface, because they will smother. Do your best to thin the grass by tree roots by hand, and as long as it’s not Bermuda grass, there’s a solid chance for success.
The answer is always cut 5cm deep and then transplant good grass
Get ducks
Just lay cardboard or a tarp over the grass and let it die then rake it out. Won’t do anything to your trees or bushes.
Woodchips. Your trees and bushes will go crazy. You’re basically kicking your yard up a succession stage, from “grassland” to forest. Ever walk in the woods and notice all the woody duff in the soil? Basically a bunch of woodchips decomposing.