Possible to kill a large area of weeds organically/naturally?

[Shpigford]

We've got a ~4500sq/ft back yard that's probably 90% weeds. Is there an organic/natural way to kill off all the weeds so we can start from scratch?
With kids and dogs and a swimming pool right beside the area, I'd really rather not spray a ton of roundup (or something comparable).

I had one guy suggestion Iron X but I've read mixed reviews.

I've always read about people putting newspaper or black tarp over areas of weed to kill them, but with this square footage I'm just not sure that's feasible.

Here's a close up of what most of the weeds are (though really there are probably a dozen different types):

[ron mexico75]

Honestly, roudup is probably the safest non organic herbicide out there. As long as the kids and pets aren't running through it before it dries you're fine. It doesn't leach into the soil. I mean, if you can spray it in an area where you are going to garden and then wait a few weeks before planting, I'd think it's safe enough to spray on weeds to re-establish a lawn.

[phasthound]

I thought I'd do a search before I replied, came up with this
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4161223AAhGoeU

Forget about it, that won't work. A one time application of Round Up will work and not harm anyone or the environment. Follow up with developing a dense lawn or ground cover to crowd out weeds. However, if you have a lot of foot traffic on the lawn near the pool it will be difficult to maintain.

[Landrus2]

This is what comes close to chemicals

[JFGauvreau]

Originally Posted by joesimoes2

This is what comes close to chemicals

I like that idea!

Not but seriously like the others said your best bet is use round up. If you still think it's to dangerous for your backyard, go ahead and spend 1000$ on tarps to cover everything for a week to let everything die.

That yahoo answer would simply not work well, to start cutting a 3-4" height, to let the grass grow longer and eventually choking the weeds. Because it seems you don't have any grass to start off, and re-seeding would not work, seeds would never be able to germinate with all those weeds.

Seems you have a lot of thatch & debris, once you have killed all the weeds, it would be your #1 priority to add a good 6-8" of top soil.

[Steiner]

How about till it up and sod the area?

[jay albers]

tilling it up would be the worst thing you could do

[ICT Bill]

Looks like a great strawberry patch to me, go with it, a little extra money on the side

weeds are in the eye of the beholder, if it holding top soil and you don't mind it so much just leave it or plant strawberries that produce a better crop

[Kiril]

If I'm not mistaken Bill, that looks like mock strawberry to me (Potentilla indica)

[Swampy]

Originally Posted by JFGauvreau

I like that idea!

That is actually what school districts around here are starting to do instead off using round up in cracks of asphalt and concrete. The bad, sorched earth, can't get close to plants you want to save, california brush fire. But will kill the weed.