Properly Installing Flower Beds?

[mjealey]

Just a simple question for everybody. I am going to be putting some flower beds all around a house and it is currently nothing but your normal tall fescue grass. What is the proper way to get rid of the grass? Would you use a sod cutter, or would you completely cut down the grass with a string trimmer and put mulch over top of it? I need help quick!!! Let me know what the professionals would do.

[Think Green]

If you place a plant in the hole of a brick, the thing will grow for a short while..eventually it will become root bound, water-logged and die.
Marke out the bed with paint. Line-trim out the grass, skim it out, run a tiller through it and rake out the remains. You will need to till in either peat moss, compost manures, top soils, etc. to make the soil pliable. This will need to be done to a depth of at least 10-12 inches, all the while tilling in those amendments. Take notice of services like cable, gas, water, electric and have it located before you dig or till. Plant the shrubbery or the bedding plants, mulch and be done. Don't forget the edging, block,stones, whatever you choose to use...

You can do this job quick and cheap for instant success...........but take the time and do it right! Your name and reputation is written on your work!

[mjealey]

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was planning on doing. I was still wondering if for some small area in the yard if you would be all right to use the trimmer and scalp it down to the dirt, and then place 3" of mulch over top of it if you would be okay or if grass would still grow back in the mulch?

[STRINGALATION]

well i think the advice given was excellent if your still trying to short cut thats on you. what he said is why i cost more than most people here. i try to doit right and not cut corners. i lose plenty of bids that way but like he said your name is on the line

[White Gardens]

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was planning on doing. I was still wondering if for some small area in the yard if you would be all right to use the trimmer and scalp it down to the dirt, and then place 3" of mulch over top of it if you would be okay or if grass would still grow back in the mulch?

As long as you put down a good layer of mulch, it will smother it out to some degree, but you'll eventually need to spray any grass that does survive.

If you can, and time allows you to do it, spray the beds first with roundup and come back 3 weeks later to install the beds.

[Think Green]

MJ,
I am sorry for not answering you question fully.
OMG!--I went on ranting didn't I? Yes, spray the grass--weeds everything first or after you have marked the outline of the bed. Glyphosate will do the trick if you mix it heavy.!
Wait a couple of weeks......slide in there and till the bed to the 10-12 inch depth and do your amendments. Rake out the rhizomes,,,,,,stolons,,,,,,,,,weed roots that are exposed. Level the bed with a garden rake, and plant........

Sorry for not being direct....I need to read the entire post before spilling my beans. LOL!

[mjealey]

Hey thanks for the replies. Yes I take my time and do things right and it was just a question. I have a Troy-Bilt tiller and it is about 15 years old and it must weigh about 500 lbs. When they made really goos products. I am going to be using that. It is ll along the front of their house and they want it done in one day. No spraying for me. I plan on marking the beds, taking my push mower and bag it on the lowest setting. Then taking the trimmer and taking it down to the dirt and then tilling. I am thinking about renting a sod cutter. How would you guys do it? Remember it has to be done in one day.

[Gold Star Lawns]

GEEZ....those customers that want instant gratification! gotta love them. I would use the sod cutter....cut out all the sod. Thats really the only route your gonna be able to take with them wanting it done in one day. It will leave you with the best results.