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I am having a problem getting the grass to die in my garden.

Posted on December 30, 2001

Question:
I am having a problem getting the grass to die in my garden. I have tilled and hoed repeatedly but to no avail. I did find something that stated I could use something called "post". If I do use something like this will it effect my plants? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer:
Hoeing must be done on hot sunny days so the sun immediately cooks the exposed roots & runners of weeds. Otherwise, they just reroot even though they are broken up. Rotatilling can bring up new seed beds 3,4,5,6,7,8 inches deep that would have otherwise never germinated, having been so deep. The correct progression would be: Till or hoe, let new crop at weeds grow, till or hoe, let new crop of weeds grow...etc for a cycle of 3 or 4 times. Then one last time, right on the surface and do your planting. This should slow the weeds down till your crop takes hold. If it is in an actual garden bed for perennials or annuals or vegetables, you can carefully apply Kilzall on undesirable foliage which kills it systemically root and all. Replanting can take place 7-10 days later. Follow up of a weed preventer will keep the seed bed from causing you problems. Kilzall is great for cleaning up between plants if you are careful not to contact desirable plants. Post is a product that can be used right over top of many desirable plants and will not harm them but will kill the grasses. It will not kill any broadleaf weeds, however, grasses seem to be more of a problem in these plantings. Check the label on post carefully to make sure it is safe over top of your particular plants. Best in Gardening, Chuck

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