What can I use to kill the grass so I can put in rock?
Tim
I have heard of the newspaper technique before, and although I have not tried it, here is what I would do. I would lay down the newspaper like the other posters have suggested. Then I would cover it with the rock that you want to use. Eventually the newspaper will decompose, but by then, there will be lots of dirt and such on top of the rock anyway. I have landscape fabric and rock in my yard, and have had this for over 8 years. I have to pull weeds out of the crushed rock off and on. If you don't do that, you have to dig out all the rock, and clean it with a screen, or replace it with new rock. Some of my neighbours clean their rock mulch with leaf blowers and such fairly often. It depends on how fussy you want to be.
1 gal white vinegar [$2.08 at Walmart], 1 cup salt, 1 good squirt of Lemon Joy liquid dish soap. I mix this in a watering can and 'water' the weeds in my pea stone dog pen about once every 4-6 weeks.
The newspaper weedblock seems dandy - easy and effective. Beware the newsprint, however. Many papers are still printed with a petroleum-based ink - NOT good for your soil. Check with your local newspaper and ask if they use soy-based inks. If so, great! If not, ask them why not.
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How to kill very tall grass under thick tall shrubs?
You may want to start weed whacking it down and then pulling it out (depends on how big the space is and if you can get into the shrub area). Chemicals are not good if you have pets, small children, or the area has run off into your sewage systems, but I am a totally anti chemical person.
If you absolutely want to use something to kill the grass after you get it as short as possible, pour regular white vinegar on it. Several treatments should kill off the grass.
I do not particular like using chemicals but sometimes it is difficult to do the job any other way.
I'm assuming you cannot use a weed wacker to trim the grass?
You will need to trim the grass before using anything so maybe grass clippers would work?
I use vinegar on some weeds but too much of this and it could also kill your shrubs so use that with a lot of caution.
I would suggest trimming the weeds and then putting down landscape fabric and 2-4 inches of mulch.
I really prefer using several layers of newspapers and then add mulch on top.
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