preparing raised beds

[boggybranch]

Try white vinegar.....if it will kill a thistle (and it will, quickly), maybe it will kill the grass. It, probably, will raise the salt level in the soil, but if you have a well draining soil, the sodium should leach out, fairly quickly.

 

[Kassaundra]

Kassundra, we got one this year, and have really enjoyed having it. Don't go too crazy around your gardens- it does kill off micro-organisms in the soil. But, for edges and tough weeds, it works great!

When I make the bed I dig out as many and much of the roots as possible and I plant thickly (for green mulch purposes) so I was just planning on the edges. Did you get the flame one or the ceramic heater one? I've been trying to figure out if it's worth the price difference.

 

[OurGardenGate.com]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, but so glad to have found you. I gardened for many years in the south but am now in northern Utah where we battle bind weed and bermuda grass.
My advice...sell out and move. As much as I love my home and garden, that's what I feel like doing sometimes when I pull and pull and it all comes right back, and so quickly.

 

[wsmoak]

Resign yourself to occasionally digging out an entire bed and screening the soil before it goes back in. I had to do that with the strawberry bed this year, the bermuda grass took over because I couldn't pull it without damaging the strawberry runners. What a mess! -Wendy

 

[lesa]

Kassandra, ours uses a propane tank for fuel. It really is quite a flame!! Kind of scary! But, it does a super job. Perfect for growth in sidewalk cracks, pavement, etc. Got ours at Harbor Freight (maybe 70 bucks??) Dh used it in the garden once or twice- but when I found a strawberry plant, with green berries on it, burnt to a crisp....the garden became off limits!!

 

[seedsowing]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, but so glad to have found you. I gardened for many years in the south but am now in northern Utah where we battle bind weed and bermuda grass.
My advice...sell out and move. As much as I love my home and garden, that's what I feel like doing sometimes when I pull and pull and it all comes right back, and so quickly.

Well, selling is not an option. In Colorado my neighbor & I won the battle over Bind Weed. We each diligently pulled and pulled and pulled. Then they moved and the new neighbor could care less so within months the bind weed reappeared. I did move out. So I appreciate your sentiments.

Since I have some time before I construct the raised beds, I think I will put black plastic over the area. Maybe that will kill the grass.:/

 

[OurGardenGate.com]

I'm sure it will kill it for now...
It's all those plants (and roots) surrounding the area that you'll have to contend with in a year or so.
Sorry, don't mean to be the voice of gloom and doom, after all, it is only a plant, it is only a plant, it is only a plant.
That's my summer mantra.