|
Fri, Mar 8, 13 at 17:39
| We have a long narrow garden bed running along the side of our garage. It's been edged with timber (4 by 4 treated wood), but the timbers are rotting and need to be replaced. My husband wants to use limestone bricks left from a fireplace re-do, and that's fine with me. But one problem---our yard has zoysia grass (legacy from the previous owner, not our idea!), and I've spent 11 years fighting a mostly losing battle with its tendency to invade the garden. If we simply replace the timbers with the brick, I'll be fighting the zoysia til I keel over. Our local garden center says that the only way to keep zoysia out of the garden is to dig in edging (the black plastic kind) that does down 6 inches and then mulch, mulch, mulch. My husband thinks he can put the brick outside the edging (I say no, the grass will grow under the brick and up between the edging and the brick) or put the brick behind the edging (in which case there will be a black plastic "lip" sticking a third or so of the way up the side of the brick). Any suggestions for how to use the brick AND conquer the zoysia? I'd like to turn the bed into a raised bed (maybe about 8 inches--would hide more of the cinderblock foundation of the garage). I'd be grateful for any help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| I haven't lived with zoysia but have fought other grasses and many weeds from entering beds. You'll need a barrier that penetrates the ground and extends above the ground. I don't think the common plastic edging would be deep enough. I'd go for 8" depth but someone who's had zoysia might advise better. (You might look at roll aluminum from the roofing dept.) I would definitely ditch the idea of a barrier being in front of the stone based on looks alone. That would not look good. But you could put stone in front of the part of the barrier that sticks up. It would still require some occasional attention (such as spraying with herbicide) to the grass that grew between the barrier and the stone. |
|
- Posted by rosiew 8 GA (rosemarywalsh@bellsouth.net) on Mon, Mar 11, 13 at 9:22
| I use my compressed air sprayer with glysophate to stop the bermuda grass. It has truly been effective. Just spray a two to three inch width. IF some bermuda grows under, up and into the bed, it's just an occasional strand that can be dug easily. Think the limestone brick will look great. HTH, Rosie |
|
| The problem with zoysia grass is not only the underground spreading roots but also the dang seeds which blow on the breeze. Building a raised bed against a foundation is not a good idea. A question to answer before I provide a possible answer. Is there an outdoor water faucet positioned in fairly close proximity to this garden bed under discussion? |
|
| Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely check out the aluminum. We don't especially want to use herbicides, though--we don't use any chemicals in the yard or garden (well, almost never--had to resort to Roundup to get rid of rampant trumpet vine in the garden bed). As for raising the bed, I can give up on that idea. It would probably be too hard to take care of. There's no outdoor water faucet anywhere near the garden bed, which is a problem in summer when it dries out around here ("here" being southern Indiana). |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Landscape Design Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.