No Chemicals - We strongly recommend removing grass manually and not use any chemicals (herbicides). Studies are showing that these chemicals cause harmful effects to ourselves and the rest of the ecosystem (studies: Non-GMO Report, Environmental Health Perspectives Newsletter). We will provide info on both removing your lawn and also smothering it so it breaks down in place (aka “sheet mulching”). Determine Your Type of Turf Grass There are two types of turf grass and thus different kill approaches:
Technique (from the folks at G3/The Green Gardens Group):
Cool season turf grass - Since the seed is produced above ground, just mow it to a short height.
Warm season turf grass - Since the seed is produced below ground (likes little “nuts,” right on the roots) or sends out runners at ground level, make sure to remove all the roots and throw them away. (Shake off the soil so you don't remove any unnecessarily and keep it on site.) With grasses like nut grass, the nuts WILL sprout back.
Note: to make it easy to work with soil, to awaken any existing soil biology, and to provide water for new biology you apply, consider thoroughly watering the soil the night before sheet mulching.
Timeframe Until Planting - This recipe assumes you are planting vegetables in a raised bed area (bacteria-based microbes go to work quickly and support grassy, weedy things like veggies). If you are planting perennials, shrubs, etc., then it's best that the sheet mulching “cooks” from a couple weeks to a couple of months before moving forward (fungal-based guys go to work to support the woody plants). Most of the “literature” from veggie gardeners says “go ahead and plant right away” since the veggies are SO bacterially based & they don't need the heavy nutrient stuff created by the breaking down of more celluose items like wood chips or mulch. If the compost is salty (which it may be if it contains horse manure), then they may get tip-burning. Applications of compost tea may remedy this—steady watering, too. THAT SAID, if you don't have time for the sheet mulch to break down before planting perennials, go ahead and plant directly into it.
Watch the Bay Friendly Gardens Program's video on how to sheet mulch: