[arcticranger]

I've got some large areas of mixed weed, fern and grass that I wish to clear and later seed with various ground covers like phlox. Pulling it all is impossible and removes too much good soil. I've seen black plastic recommended to just starve the weeds and preserve the organic material for later planting. I'd be worried using this method that I'd be leaving live weed seeds and spores behind.

I've myself had good results with regular salt which does clear annoying ferns in particular. Contrary to popular belief salt doesn't sterilize the soil it just makes it more alkaline thus unfriendly to acidic plants like most ferns.

Anyone got ideas?

 

[dj3]

After fighting weed plants in my rentals for decades, I must say that the weed won.

 

[SPS-1]

How big of an area?

Best method is spray with Roundup. Go back a week and a half later and spray anything that is still green. Go back a week later and roto-till and then put down sod (from a sod farm, not a hardware store).

You don't show a location, but for most of our forum members here, this is not the time to put down grass --- too hot and dry. Wait for September.

 

[stick\shift]

SPS uses almost the same process I do - difference is I wait two weeks after each hit of Roundup and I'm also getting a soil test so I can add any needed amendments with the tilling step.

That said, keep in mind there may be a good reason you don't have grass winning the battle in that area now which means you likely won't down the road, either.

 

[arcticranger]

That said, keep in mind there may be a good reason you don't have grass winning the battle in that area now which means you likely won't down the road, either.

LIke I'm a bad person maybe?


This is deep rural forest, the land I'm discussing has been untouched and untended for centuries. It's not a postage stamp front yard in Saddle River NJ.

 

[Cedrus]

Give it up. Construct two Brandy Manhattans, down them in 20 minutes.....and you won't care about grass, ferns, weeds....or improving your acreage.

 

[CodeMatters]

I'm lazier and cheaper than @SPS-1
For me it's roundup followed by top coat of my own (not fully decomposed)
compost, followed by grass seed...sometimes mixed with clover...when I'm
not too cheap....
Would expect SPS's regime to be more perfect...but I'm doing well when I
can the whole lawn cut.

 

[arcticranger]

Ahem, ending this thread, I will go with black plastic for large areas and salting for smaller garden areas. The plastic method is called soil solarization, it's being done all over the world. Only good idea was the Manhattans.