What’s the Best Way to Remove Grass for a Pollinator Garden?
Asked by GreenThumbs23
Hey everyone! I'm a new homeowner and I just finished a certified gardening course, which has me super excited to transform my yard. The previous owners left a lot of invasive plants, but I see so much potential! I've done a sun map and noticed that the NW side of my front yard gets about 6-7 hours of direct sunlight daily. I want to turn this large grassy area (around 10 x 20-30 feet) into a beautiful pollinator garden. I'm looking for suggestions on the best methods to get rid of the grass so I can prepare for in-ground planting or raised beds. I've read about several techniques like using wood chips, cardboard, black plastic, and newspapers, but I'm seeing mixed reviews. What do you all think is the best or worst method? Also, I'd love any plant recommendations for my garden! I'm in NJ hardiness zone 7a and don't belong to an HOA, so I have some freedom to experiment!
Answers
My neighbor used black plastic, weighted down with bricks, to kill his lawn. He left it for a few months and then planted flowers; it turned out great!
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If you’re going native, check out r/NatureLovers for beginner resources tailored to your area. It’s really important for plant care and selection. I recommend tackling one section at a time—don't let excitement lead you to bite off more than you can chew! If you’ve got weeds in your lawn, you'll have weed seeds in the soil too. Solarizing can help. As for seeds, look into winter sowing by scattering them before snow falls; it helps protect them from birds. Here’s a great link on winter sowing: [Winter Sowing Guide](https://growitbuildit.com/illustrated-guide-to-winter-sowing-with-pictures/)
ExcitedGardener22: Wow, this is such useful information! I really appreciate the reminder to pace myself. I lost some plants because I rushed things this summer, so I’m determined to do better next time. I'll definitely check out those resources!
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I’m no expert, but I've killed grass sections before. My go-to is waiting until the grass growing season is almost over, then covering the area with cardboard weighted down by rocks. This method has worked well for me, especially if you can leave it through winter. You’ll probably need to wait until spring to plant your pollinator flowers. Also, mulching heavily after planting helps to keep the grass from coming back—using newspapers under the mulch is a good idea too. I would stay away from black plastic or that awful landscape fabric; both are a pain to deal with later! Good luck with your project!
FirstTimeGardener99: Thanks for the tip! I'm glad to hear that fall is the right time since I plan to plant in spring. I’ll keep your experience in mind, especially about the newspapers under mulch!
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CuriousPlanter75: That sounds awesome! But I’ve heard black plastic can get super hot and scorch the ground, making it tough for plants. Did your neighbor have any issues with that? Also, when did he put it down?