2006-12-19 04:45:17 · 13 answers · asked by smizzle 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I need quickly/cost effectively kill a section of my lawn so I can easily replace with a brick setting. A friend recommended that I use salt water or bleach. Which is better? Is there a better/cheaper solution?
2006-12-19 04:55:05 · update #1
Your friend is correct....any of those will work, but the problem is you cannot control where they travel underground, how far their effects will reach. You may end up with an entire dead lawn. Using roundup this time of year (anywhere it's cold) will take longer that it does in the summer, because Round up works best on plants that are actively growing. The label specifies I thing over 70 degrees is needed to work effectively. Most lawns, even tho they are green, are dormant. And even tho it will kill the lawn, you'll end up a lawn just the same, only dead. You still have to remove it.
Rototilling will also work but you will end up with chunks of lawn, and ground that is no longer packed down, which is ideal for placing down bricks. A soft ground will result in uneven bricks. So you;ll end up having to tamp it all down.
I would suggest using a shovel and sliding it under the grass roots, about an inch to an inch and a half in the ground. Just taking the top off the dirt. At the same time you could be leveling out the area. Toss it in a pile to use as compost later after the grass decomposes.
2006-12-19 13:52:33 · answer #1 · answered by koko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the fall is the best time. Use a string trimmer or lawn mower, depending on the size you are trying to destroy, and cut the grass right down to the soil. The shock of being cut that short will kill most of it. Then pile up to 8 inches of shredded leaves and grass clippings on the lawn. Over the winter any grass left will die.
When the weather warms the leaves and grass clippings will decompose. This will leave the best soil for new planting; without the use of chemicals. I have have used this method for several garden beds in my yard and the plants do great.
2006-12-19 07:03:10 · answer #2 · answered by Donna S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have to agree with JBR. Roundup is probably the most cost effective method to use to kill of and existing area. with all the chemicals out there to choose from, Roundup has one of the fastest breakdown after the fact. Use only what you need however, its non-selective on what it kills--keep your family pets off of the treated area until completely dry. the residual effects are gone within 3-5 days making it safe to plant again. You might also consider roto-tilling after wards just to loosen the soil altho its not completely necessary provided you bring in 2-4" of the best 3-5way mix you can afford.
you can also take the natural approach. Vinegar undiluted to substitute the roundup, applied evenly over the entire area works as well changing the pH of the soil so that anything that is growing now, wont tomorrow. and no concerns over family pets here.
Temperature does play a role as well. the cooler the temperature is, the longer it will take for both to work. ideal temps are between 60-80 degrees...Good luck!
2006-12-19 05:25:51 · answer #3 · answered by James J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-18 11:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go 2 your nearest hardwear store and ask to rent a rototiller (if you don't already have one) or sod remover. Then use that on your lawn/landscape. Don't use "Round Up" it will cost too much! If you use Round Up you won't get as dirty.
2006-12-19 04:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by anyonomous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a sod cutter, or if you have plenty of time lay down cardboard/newspaper/old carpet. The mulch will kill the lawn by depriving it of sunlight.
2006-12-19 05:25:46 · answer #6 · answered by inkantra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rent a sod cutter and sell your existing grass, might even pay for the rental.
2006-12-19 04:57:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a sod cutter or cover the area with black plastic or news paper personally I would use the news paper and wait a while its the cheapest as in free
2006-12-19 06:44:50 · answer #8 · answered by c m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
find a dog that likes to dig. Mine don't, but I have some friends that are always talking about how there dogs have just destroyed there lawn.
2006-12-19 04:53:26 · answer #9 · answered by tera_duke 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a rototiller or a sod remover from a rental place.
2006-12-19 04:53:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋