How can I get rid of grass in flower beds without killing the plants?

Hi Beth,

Are the grass and roots manageable enough to hand-pull? Generally, it's better to get at these things before they get too established, but I'm speaking as one who has learned this lesson from mistakes, not necessarily always from success. :)

Fortunately, we're heading into a rest season for grasses so it's a good time to tackle them if you think you can.

If they're heavily established, you may have to sacrifice now and make a fresh start for the future. Landscaping cloth on a freshly tilled bed does a great job of keeping new grass and weeds from creeping in and getting a foothold. A nice layer of mulch will also help keep them at bay.

Best wishes!

Hand weeding is tedious. I use my weed whip on edge, and cut them out.

Digging them out is the best, then put down a weed mat to stop them coming through again.

Ortho "Grass b Gon" is supposed to kill grass and not flowers. Be sure to read the label. I've used it on plants that aren't listed on the label as safe, without killing them but it's a gamble.

The thing to do is to check the beds often and pull or dig the grass out right away before it gets out of hand. When you get all the grass and weeds out, add a thick layer of mulch. I also keep a border of bare soil of about four inches all around my flower beds. I spray with a grass and weed killer to accomplish that.

Remove the grass from flower beds, then liberally apply Preen (it does not harm existing vegetation, but impedes new weed growth.

Because grass grows via underground stolons, you'll probably need to install heavy duty edging, at least 5" deep.

Alternatively, dig a deep trench between grass and flower beds and apply a 3"-4" mulch layer in a graduated slope up to the flower bed. This may yet require seasonal grass root removal, but should reduce time spent on this project.