Folks --
I do not know how to garden. I have a south facing portion of my yard measuring 70' X 3' with irrigation and it is presently growing grass. What would be a good plan to prepare this area for growing vegetables? Specifically how should I remove the grass -- remove it like sod? Or kill it with a chemical and till it under?
Thank you,
Patrick
Does this narrow strip have a wall or fence on the other side. If it has a wall how much shadow does it cast?
Sod can be removed with a sod cutter or you can do it with a flat spade. Turn the grass upside down and put newspaper layers (at least 4 sheets thick and compost over it and it will rot down and make a good planting media for next year.
You could lasagna by putting down cardboard over the grass and layering browns and greens over it but it needs to be layered 18 inches high, but will be ready for planting in the Spring. No till gardening would not require that you remove the grass as long as you don't have any persistent weeds.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/s ... osting.pdf
https://www.organicgardening.com/learn-a ... ut-digging
Sod can be removed with a sod cutter or you can do it with a flat spade. Turn the grass upside down and put newspaper layers (at least 4 sheets thick and compost over it and it will rot down and make a good planting media for next year.
You could lasagna by putting down cardboard over the grass and layering browns and greens over it but it needs to be layered 18 inches high, but will be ready for planting in the Spring. No till gardening would not require that you remove the grass as long as you don't have any persistent weeds.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/s ... osting.pdf
https://www.organicgardening.com/learn-a ... ut-digging
Have you considered raised beds with hard sides. I switched in 2007 and practice no till. Had I switched when I was young, I can't imagine how much work it would have saved me.Voodoo wrote:Folks --
I do not know how to garden. I have a south facing portion of my yard measuring 70' X 3' with irrigation and it is presently growing grass. What would be a good plan to prepare this area for growing vegetables? Specifically how should I remove the grass -- remove it like sod? Or kill it with a chemical and till it under?
Thank you,
Patrick
- jal_ut
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 7447
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:20 pm
- Location: Northern Utah Zone 5
I would stay away from chemicals.Or kill it with a chemical and till it under?
You say till it under. Do you have a tiller? Or are you suggesting tilling it with a shovel? In any case if you turn the sod now and it dries, it will kill the grass. The organic matter will enrich the soil. Have a great garden.