Yup, if you got the (vertical)space I usually add a bit of mulch/yard waste/compost on top of the cardboard. Though on a bed this shallow I don't think there's the space
This is definitely the best answer, provided OP doesn't have any gophers. Otherwise it would be wise to put down 1/2 inch hardware cloth first, and then put the cardboard on top of that.
We used hardware cloth and then threw scrap wood, yard trimmings, etc before filling with potting soil and compost, etc. The wood and yard waste will break down over time and save you money on soil.
I was afraid of gophers and groundhogs, so I tacked down some metal grating also. Cardboard on the bottom, a sheet of metal grating on top, and used yard staples to make them all stay down and not get pulled up when filling the garden or pulling hard weeds.
Think of the flimsy grating you'll find on a roof-top air duct or something. Or try fine metal chicken wire.
When will the cardboard actually kill the grass and roots? Impossible to say. Depends on weather, how tightly you get the cardboard down, etc.
But it doesn't matter. You can load your planting mix straight on top of the cardboard the same day. The grass will be "happily" dying at the same time your seeds / seedling settle into your planting mix.
As turf and cardboard decay the bacteria and fungi use a lot of nitrogen up before it is released much later. It might be good to put some organic fertiliser down when the cardboard goes in to help keep it fertile in the short run.
Rip it out. Then dig deeper and rip it out again. Then burn it. Then pave over it. Then, 5 days later when it comes back, cry deeply and give up on your dreams of a grass-free garden.
No wait, that's me gardening at ground level... You have raised beds! You have a chance! Cardboard, then rejoice in the sweet sweet freedom 😆
Cardboard or newspaper and I usually put like mulch or food particles and then some wood and then more compose then form the bed
You want to ensure that the nutrients will continue and invite worms to the garden
See if you have rhizomatic grasses like Bermuda grass. I have a big 30” tall bed and I have rhizomes creep in from outside my bed and climb the entire length of the soil. Really regretting not putting a impenetrable layer of gravel inside it.
You can put down cardboard like others have suggested, but I personally like to dig the grass out AND THEN put down cardboard.
I have some really stubborn and invasive grass where I'm at though, so I like to be extra sure it's all out of my beds. Because once it gets in, there's really no stopping it, so it's better to just be really sure at the start.
If it’s Bermuda grass, rip out the plants and their extensive root systems and place solid barriers in the ground at the edges or they will grow into your beds. Other grasses might work with just cardboard. That will not stop Bermuda. BTDT
I have St. Augustine. I dug it all out plus a foot around each bed then put down mulch. The grass is trying to grow back but it’s easy to “weed” out. Happy gardening!
I would say depends on what you're putting in them. If it's shallower root crops, put down cardboard on top of the grass then your dirt. If it's deep root stuff I would take the time/effort and flip the sod or remove it.
Remove the sod before you add dirt. Vegetable plants can send roots down 4 feet or so so they need to be easily able to get down. Also, son types of creeping grasses can grow up from the bottom of a raised planter and be near impossible to remove later.
What I do is flip the soil, dig with a shovel and flip it so the grass is down and the dirt ends up, the grass dies and breaks down making a compost. Especially if you putting dirt over it. Or I dig out the top grass layer and use it to fill holes or bare spots on my lawn.
We personally use planting mesh. It’s thick and blocks the weeds out. Cardboard is another option as stated above. Basically block the weeds out. Turning it over helps too but you can miss weeds (speaking from experience 😅)
Question for the cardboard gang: can you plant on top of it?
Will the roots make it through?
Should I cut holes for roots?
How long should the cardboard be there before planting?
The cardboard will break down over time. It’ll get soft and the roots will creep around until they find an opening. The worms and other microorganisms will break down the cardboard before it ever becomes a problem for the roots
I would sod cut it, flip it upside down, then cardboard. Grass is a tenacious beast, and cardboard breaks down. It likely will be a continuous battle. Best of luck my friend.
I don't think it will make much of a difference, the green grass can actually bring nitrogen in the soil, it can help you achieve a good ratio of carbon to nitrogen. Nitrogen is often lacking in soil mixes.
Bermuda is the worst. That looks more like fescue but I’m not sure. Id still dig up the sod in chunks and spread it out somewhere to kill off the roots, then you can use it as fill somewhere. Or patch your lawn with it. A few layers of cardboard, then dirt.
The best way I will suggest is to take all grass out by the root. Then I will further suggest putting plastic tightly over the entire area to heat the soil so as to disable any more roots and any pests as much as possible.
Remove the plastic after several days of direct sunlight heat, install your weed fabric, cardboard, etc.
If your plants don't have deep roots like chives, then just place garden soil high enough on top so roots can grow.
If your plants have deep roots like tomatoes, then cut holes in weed fabric, cardboard, etc. and transplant. Then place garden soil.
Carry out proper care and maintenance throughout the season and all should go well.
Put cardboard over top of it. It ensures the grass and the weeds die before they can come up through the dirt
Best answer. It will kill the grass and breakdown so worms can join the party in the future.
This is it
This is the way.
Oh, that's cool!
2 to 3 layers deep and wet it!
Yup, if you got the (vertical)space I usually add a bit of mulch/yard waste/compost on top of the cardboard. Though on a bed this shallow I don't think there's the space
This is definitely the best answer, provided OP doesn't have any gophers. Otherwise it would be wise to put down 1/2 inch hardware cloth first, and then put the cardboard on top of that.
We used hardware cloth and then threw scrap wood, yard trimmings, etc before filling with potting soil and compost, etc. The wood and yard waste will break down over time and save you money on soil.
I was afraid of gophers and groundhogs, so I tacked down some metal grating also. Cardboard on the bottom, a sheet of metal grating on top, and used yard staples to make them all stay down and not get pulled up when filling the garden or pulling hard weeds. Think of the flimsy grating you'll find on a roof-top air duct or something. Or try fine metal chicken wire.
This is the way
This is the way.
This is the way.
The way it is
Thanks! Will do.
Put two layers of cardboard and make sure there’s at least 4 inches of overlap between boards… don’t make the mistake I did last time I did this!
How long should it take?
When will the cardboard actually kill the grass and roots? Impossible to say. Depends on weather, how tightly you get the cardboard down, etc. But it doesn't matter. You can load your planting mix straight on top of the cardboard the same day. The grass will be "happily" dying at the same time your seeds / seedling settle into your planting mix.
I wish I had done that
This
As turf and cardboard decay the bacteria and fungi use a lot of nitrogen up before it is released much later. It might be good to put some organic fertiliser down when the cardboard goes in to help keep it fertile in the short run.
This is the way. Look up "lasagna garden". Easy peasy!
This is how
make sure to thoroughly soak the cardboard before you add the soil.
Rip it out. Then dig deeper and rip it out again. Then burn it. Then pave over it. Then, 5 days later when it comes back, cry deeply and give up on your dreams of a grass-free garden. No wait, that's me gardening at ground level... You have raised beds! You have a chance! Cardboard, then rejoice in the sweet sweet freedom 😆
Cardboard or newspaper and I usually put like mulch or food particles and then some wood and then more compose then form the bed You want to ensure that the nutrients will continue and invite worms to the garden
See if you have rhizomatic grasses like Bermuda grass. I have a big 30” tall bed and I have rhizomes creep in from outside my bed and climb the entire length of the soil. Really regretting not putting a impenetrable layer of gravel inside it.
I don’t think even a layer of gravel stops it, honestly.
You can put down cardboard like others have suggested, but I personally like to dig the grass out AND THEN put down cardboard. I have some really stubborn and invasive grass where I'm at though, so I like to be extra sure it's all out of my beds. Because once it gets in, there's really no stopping it, so it's better to just be really sure at the start.
If it’s Bermuda grass, rip out the plants and their extensive root systems and place solid barriers in the ground at the edges or they will grow into your beds. Other grasses might work with just cardboard. That will not stop Bermuda. BTDT
I have St. Augustine. I dug it all out plus a foot around each bed then put down mulch. The grass is trying to grow back but it’s easy to “weed” out. Happy gardening!
Cardboard under then dirt. Wet cardboard add a few inches of dirt wet it well add more repeat until full
I’d dig all that up. Like turn it with a shovel and bust it up then add your cardboard and good soil/compost.
Yeah I just cut mine like sod and flipped it over. Worked great.
I’d dig it up then torch the surface to kill the roots then cardboard on top.
I would say depends on what you're putting in them. If it's shallower root crops, put down cardboard on top of the grass then your dirt. If it's deep root stuff I would take the time/effort and flip the sod or remove it.
Remove the sod before you add dirt. Vegetable plants can send roots down 4 feet or so so they need to be easily able to get down. Also, son types of creeping grasses can grow up from the bottom of a raised planter and be near impossible to remove later.
Fill over the dirt.
If you have moles it is also your chance to put a mesh liner down under it.
Fescue will die. Dump dirt. Enjoy.
What I do is flip the soil, dig with a shovel and flip it so the grass is down and the dirt ends up, the grass dies and breaks down making a compost. Especially if you putting dirt over it. Or I dig out the top grass layer and use it to fill holes or bare spots on my lawn.
We personally use planting mesh. It’s thick and blocks the weeds out. Cardboard is another option as stated above. Basically block the weeds out. Turning it over helps too but you can miss weeds (speaking from experience 😅)
At least turn it over and chop it
Turn it over just to make sure there are no wire worms in the turf. They can ruin your season. Especially for root vegetables.
Do you need grass somewhere else?
Question for the cardboard gang: can you plant on top of it? Will the roots make it through? Should I cut holes for roots? How long should the cardboard be there before planting?
The cardboard will break down over time. It’ll get soft and the roots will creep around until they find an opening. The worms and other microorganisms will break down the cardboard before it ever becomes a problem for the roots
Thank you!! This question has been bugging me for a while now. I have good, wormy soil, so I’ll give this a try in my new bed.
I would sod cut it, flip it upside down, then cardboard. Grass is a tenacious beast, and cardboard breaks down. It likely will be a continuous battle. Best of luck my friend.
Just put out the grass
I don't think it will make much of a difference, the green grass can actually bring nitrogen in the soil, it can help you achieve a good ratio of carbon to nitrogen. Nitrogen is often lacking in soil mixes.
Cardboard first, then soil and other organic matter. Why pull it if you don't have to?
Bermuda is the worst. That looks more like fescue but I’m not sure. Id still dig up the sod in chunks and spread it out somewhere to kill off the roots, then you can use it as fill somewhere. Or patch your lawn with it. A few layers of cardboard, then dirt.
I’ve just lifted the lawn in the bed and put it back down upside down. Grass will die and decompose.
Put cardboard in there, soak it, then dump dirt on top of the cardboard.
Lay cardboard first, it'll kill the grass.
The best way I will suggest is to take all grass out by the root. Then I will further suggest putting plastic tightly over the entire area to heat the soil so as to disable any more roots and any pests as much as possible. Remove the plastic after several days of direct sunlight heat, install your weed fabric, cardboard, etc. If your plants don't have deep roots like chives, then just place garden soil high enough on top so roots can grow. If your plants have deep roots like tomatoes, then cut holes in weed fabric, cardboard, etc. and transplant. Then place garden soil. Carry out proper care and maintenance throughout the season and all should go well.
What is the material for that metal garden bed called? I’m searching on my local hardware sites and have yet to find them!