Need pro landscapers tips?
I am planning to landscape a slight slope in my front yard with ornamental grasses and lillies. Can I leave the grass in between and cover with something then cover with mulch or straw or do I have to dig it all up. I usually don't dig up all the grass when I plant an area and I put weed block or really thick newspaper on the grass in between and it kills the grass. It works great but I don't know about trying that on a hill. I'm afraid all the mulch or straw will slide off. Another thing, I have noticed on professionally landscaped lawns that the grass doesn't creep up onto the edges of planted areas how do you do that? Mine always runs right into my planted areas and I have to dig or pull it out constantly. Is there a trick to keep it from doing that?
I would kill the grass with Round-up or similar product, then leave it there. You don't want to disturb the soil on a slope any more than you have to, and the roots will still help hold the soil even when dead. Pine straw is the best on a hill, because it doesn't float as readily as mulch. If you want mulch, try the shedded stuff - less floating too. Weed block and papers will be slippery. Leave them off, and use your foot or shovel to pat the mulch into the soil somewhat.
We define beds with a small trench. Stand on grass side of line, and make shovel cut. Use your foot to kick and lift the shovel toward the bed, cutting a check-mark shaped trench. Sharp edge toward grass. Slanted side helps to hold mulch. This also provides a clear line to run your edger or weed eater down.
There is a trenching shovel - hip high with looped handle and flat head. I prefer the full size round head, but admitedly the trenching shovel does a prettier job.
If using straw to mulch your beds, we periodically roll and fluff the area where it meets the grass. Work down bed edge grabbing straw with 2 hands, and rolling it under. Fluff and roll at same time till it looks good.
Good luck.
Landscaping With Ornamental Grasses.wmv
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