Smother grass

[domesticdiva]

I read that you can smother grass with newspaper...wonder could you do the same with old phone books or possibly magazines? How long does that method take? I'm ready to prep an area covered in centipede.

[bullthistle]

The thicker the paper the longer it will take to degrade. Cardboard might be the best solution because it may not take flight as fast in the wind and it's mostly glue.

[rainbowgardener]

The phone books should work if you can tear them in sections. A lot of magazines have coated paper that doesn't break down well. Newspaper (several thicknesses) works great or cardboard.

Trim/mow the grass so it lies flat, water well. Lay the paper down on top of it and water well. Cover with a few inches of topsoil/mulch etc.

It is important though to edge around the bed you create this way. Use a straight spade or edging tool to cut down through all the grass roots and preferably insert an edging strip. Otherwise the grass will start growing back in from the outside.