• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Expanding the Garden

Too many beautiful plants and not enough room. So you decide to expand the garden. But first you need to kill of the grass.

Lay out a rope or garden hose to help you determine the size and shape of the expanded garden. Then get out a shovel and start edging. This creates a clean division between the lawn and your garden. It also cuts the roots and rhizomes preventing outside support for the grass and weeds you are trying to kill.

Use newspaper and organic mulch to kill the existing grass without the use of chemicals. Spread a couple sheets of newspaper over the grass and anchor in place with shredded leaves, woodchips or other organic mulch.

Over time the grass will die and the newspaper will decompose adding organic matter to the soil. Now you are ready to plant. Just dig through the grass and mulch.

A bit more information: For quicker results use a sod cutter to remove the existing grass. Use any weed-free sod to fill bare patches and thin areas in the lawn. Or place the sod pieces, grass side down, in the compost pile. The sod will eventually break down and can be returned to the garden in the form of compost.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW