Hi all, i know there are a 100 resources and takes on how to switch a grassy area to a xeriscaped/native(idh) plant space, but i wanted to get this subbreddits updated take on how to best prepare an area for early spring native planting. We bought our house in the spring (in CO 5B) and quickly realized we'd rather let the strip between the sidewalk and street die off so we could plant more drought tolerant plants there. We've let it die off since July and now we're trying to figure out what we should do to prepare the space. The space in the photo is the one we're working with. We have one young tree planted, but the space gets the full glare of the sun all day long, so replacing the grass is ideal for that reason as well!
what do you prefer as a method? Just leave it as is and mulch it for the winter? Smother it with a clear tarp? Smother with cardboard? Dig up all the grass? Do you recommend doing these things in the fall to prepare or wait till spring?
Thanks! I know this isn't a groundbreaking question for this group but still interested!
by Artistic-adventurer
8 Comments
Planting dwarf fruit trees and a plant guild under them.
Do you know what species of grass you have? You can dig a shallow wedge around the borders, cover with cardboard, and cover that with mulch. Plant some native perennials
Piling fallen leaves on top or covering with cardboard would probably be enough to kill off what you have left. For sections that small, I soak the area with a hose and then dig grass and weeds up with a hand or full-size shovel.
With such a narrow strip I would wait until it is wet (rain or soaker hose) and dig it up and put fresh soil and mulch on top.
If it was a larger area, cardboard and mulch works well as long as you are okay with a slightly higher level
Layers and layers of cardboard, tape removed. Chipdrop.com on top
I’m between goats and antifreeze
My go to method a using a good sod cutter knife- they look like large, serrated bread knives. I make a rectangle cut and the cut under the rectangle, like cutting a layer cake layer in half. Then I pull it up. I find this to be faster than other methods, especially after either a heavy rain or a long drought.
My favorite tools are a hefty pickaxe, a heavy duty metal rake and a hand tiller. 💪 then depending on how quick im planting and the method, I’ll either cover it in a tarp to smother or solarize for a while. Or plant established plants and cover the bare spots in cardboard. Or chaos toss seeds and keep weeding by hand. There’s always weeding eventually…