We want to get rid of all vegetation in front of our porch and put down mulch.?

Question

Would anyone suggest using a herbicide or is roto-tilling the way to go? Or both?

Answer 1

Pull out any big shrubs then lay down two layers of thick cardboard. Put 6 inches of mulch over that. The grass will die and you'll be set for at least two years. I don't recommend black plastic ever. You can just add another layer of thick cardboard and more mulch in a few years or if you decide to grow plants, your soil has been improved and you don't have black plastic to deal with.

Answer 2

Keebler has the right idea, but I've never heard of a woody stemmed herbicide. Anything woody, pull it up. Roundup will disappear from the ground in about 3 weeks - it's broken down by the microorganisms and disappears.
You could also use vinegar on a very hot day. It burns the plants. May have to do it a few times before it's really and truly dead, but it's safe for the environment. Don't bother tilling if you're putting down mulch. Rake out the area, cover with landscape fabric, your mulch, and enjoy!

Answer 3

Spray it with Roundup. For bushes yank them out. Woody stemmed plants need a woody stemmed herbicide. Smooth out the bed and cover with mulch. Any residual weeds that appear through the mulch spray with Roundup.

Answer 4

Less work method....any shrubs remove . Any excessive tall vegetation mow down. Put 2 layers of black plastic down and the mulch over that. Anything under the plastic dies.
Works Great. I had a humongous pampas grass growing I cut it down short put 2 layers of black plastic over it and then 2 bags of pea gravel over it (it was by my garden pond). No way for me to spray because of the fish...
NO MORE PAMPAS GRASS!!!!
and no digging or spraying.