How do I kill grass and not kill perennials or ground cover?

Question

I have a mostly shaded bank that has about 30 small "volunteer" hostas growing, along with some "volunteer" creeping jenny, that all have migrated from another flower bed, I did not plant any of them on this bank. I would like to kill the grass on this bank and turn it into a shaded bed, but there is quite a bit of grass/weeds. Would appreciate information on how to kill grass in flower beds and not harm the plants?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The only other suggestion is to smother the grass out with heavy black plastic .

MN Mom · Answer

If you intend on making this shaded weedy area into a garden area, you can lay down black plastic but that can take weeks to smother. I would personally dig up the area you'd want to plant in, removing weeds and grass as you go and then add organic soil and plants.

Jenny · Answer

If you are working around plants you want to save, your alternative is pulling/digging. Lots of work; but worth it in the end. If you are not saving plants, then the plastic above is perfect.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The plastic was meant to be placed in-between the existing plants.

Carol Etheridge · Answer

my husband puts funnel on end of sprayer to kill grass and weeds and not my flowers.

Nota · Answer

Use a blow torch it will kill grass and weeds. I use this to kill crab grass. Once it turns a brighter color it's done. Then add your top soil or mulch. So it won't grow back. Some state park's have a controlled fire. But if you don't use topsoil or mulch all new fresh beautiful soft grass will grow in.

Noel · Answer

My cousin has used Preen Garden Weed Preventer Plus Flower Food in her flower beds and has said it has worked safely.

Jan Beaver · Answer

For any plants where I need to be extra careful, I put the weed killer on a rag. I then can wipe the rag just on the grass/unwanted plant, starting at the base and sliding it to the top. That way I don't get it anywhere but the plant/weed I want to get rid of.

Jeanne dugan · Answer

There is grass killer in spray containers. We use it to kill the grass that shoots up in our Myrtle and Pachysandra beds. It doesn't harm anything but grass. I think it only comes in smaller containers. I don't know what you would do for a lot of grass.

Anna · Answer

Lay cardboard or newspaper on the grass for several weeks. Lots of articles on the web, including Pinterest.

Jeanne dugan · Answer

It is Ortho Grass B Gone.

How do I kill grass and not kill perennials or ground cover?

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How do I kill grass and not kill perennials or ground cover?

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