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gnome_de_guerre Asheville, NC Mar 31, 2010

I'm beginning in earnest my first committed attempt at a vegetable garden, and I really want to do it right. I have my space already picked out, it's ~12' x 12' and gets direct sunlight all day long and as a result, right now there is grass and some weeds and such in the space. I need to clear it out before I put my seedlings in the ground. What's the best way? Round-up, tilling, laying black plastic around my seedlings, or some combination? Then do I need to put a layer of top soil down or fertilize before I put my seedlings in? Thanks so much!
Lydia

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bcvanover81271 Tucson, AZ Apr 15, 2010

You till the soil and get out as much as you can roots and all. If you need the heat use the black plastice but there's no gurantee it's gonna work especially if it's thin. You could try mulching . The best way is to just pull up anything that pops up after you clear it. Just add compost to the places where you are planting and add some fertizer if you want to.

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tarheel2az Tonto Basin, AZ Apr 16, 2010

I'd use Roundup then till. You can just till and rake, but it's more effort. I recall a post here on the DG forum thet industrial strength acetic acid (the stuff that's in vinegar) will kill grass .There are seeds in the soil will germinate, so you'll just have to dig them up. Mulching heavily after your plants have started to develop will make this easier.

While I was tilling I'd work in as much organic material as I could get my hands on.

A soil analysis and and advice from a local gardening store will let you know what fertilization to do.


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