We are thinking about doing some landscaping around our patio this spring. I have a question about that.?

Question

Is it absolutely necessary to dig up the grass sod when I am landscaping and putting in plants and mesh/matting and mulch?
I have always wondered about this question. Couldn't I just plant everything I want and then put down the matting over the sod and shovel the mulch on top of it or do I have to dig up all that sod?

Answer 1

Superior answers all and entire. Forget the expensive, inefficient mesh landscaping cloth. Personal experience: Lay down 7 to 9 layers of news paper and mulch over it. This will effectively kill grass and weeds. You have the choice of putting down your plants then newspaper. or doing the paper thing first and your plantings later. Very easy, time efficient, low maintenance, cheap, and weed destructive. Have fun! I bet it will be beautiful!

Answer 2

That's a darn good question. If you did not want to strip the sod, it might be a good idea to put the mesh matting over it first, cut a big X in the mesh where you want to put the plant, pull back the corners and dig the hole. I wouldn't add the mulch until you have completed all your planting. Hope that works for you.

Answer 3

Grass is basically a weed. If you do not take up the unwanted grass and sod, you will have your plants and grass too.

Trust me, you will eventually be pulling your hair out with all the weeding and trimming.

Do it the right way the first time and in the end you will have saved soooooooooo much time because you won't have to go back and redo it.

Answer 4

Lawn grasses often spread by underground roots and runners. Dig up the grass before you plant anything. Be warned that some grasses (like Bermuda) have deep running roots, and may still come up in your new planting bed. If that happens use the herbicide Roundup on the resurgent grass being careful not to get the spray on your new plants.

Answer 5

You can put down some string and then put a systemic killer like Roundup on the grass, then put down some granulated caseron and wait a couple weeks, dig holes for your plants and put down your barrier and your bark or what ever, be sure and keep mulch back from the bottom
part of your shrubs or you can get bugs and mice that chew plants. Mulch your plants as you put them in the ground as with the barrier you put down it will keep water from getting to them like it would if they were just in a bed.

Answer 6

If you don't dig up the grass you will find that the grass will come up alot quicker than what you plant. That is why you dig up then matting and then mulch. If you are in a bush fire area you should use rocks

Answer 7

If you don't do a nice clean job of installing the new stuff the grasses and weeds will be a tragic battle for you and you won't get to do much sitting and admiring on the patio, you will be on your knees wishing you had done it right. It is much easier to get rid of the sod before you begin.