What is the easiest way to destroy the grass in my lawn. I want to plant a variety of local flowers, grass and ferns.

I don’t want to use anything that would harm insects and I would prefer not to take it up in sod because the loam is very thick in rocks.

Would a power tiller work to destroy the grass? Maybe a tarp over the grass?

Thanks in advance.

  • @AevironisEnglish
    1•1 year ago

    I replaced a grass yard with clover a few years ago and didn’t have much success with any of the “cover it until it dies” methods.

    Chopping the sod wasn’t good for me either, so I gave in and used Agricel Grass Out a clethodim herbicide that only targets grasses.

    According to what I could find, it isn’t harmful to birds or bees once it dries. It dissipates in the soil in 3 days. It is slightly bad for fish but that’s only a concern if you spray directly next to a stream/creek.

    I looked at EPA reports as well, but the summary by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is easier to read https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/certification/pesticides/dnr-esra-clethodim.pdf

    I know it isn’t exactly what you where looking for, but if the other methods don’t work out I recommend this.