eliminating invasive grasses

I have an invasive grass that grows about 4 feet high and is green. Sorry, don't know the name.
It spreads (quickly) by sending out runners. I want to eliminate the grass and plant veges in that space next year. If I till it up, will I be spreading the plant even more, or will I be free of it?

kill it with roundup, THEN till.

A 'greener' method would be to pour boiling water on it.

Yes, and the roots would cheerfully regrow the grass within a few days, depending on the variety. Water is normally clear, not green. If you mean "environmentally safe," Roundup turns to hydrogen and oxygen once it hits the soil. Most of us drink water- H2O. Roundup does not in any way adversely affect soil or ground water. Boiling that water to pour on the grass requires FUEL, and that is not "green."

Roundup does NOT turn into hydrogen and oxygen once it hits the soil. People have varying opinions on its environmental impact and I'm not going to argue with you on that here, but there is absolutely more there than hydrogen and oxygen.

as you wish. I am going on information based on independent research done by Texas A&M University.

Were they paid by Monsanto to do the research? Lots of universities do "independent" research that is paid for by companies, so it's not always nearly as unbiased as one would hope. As far as what it breaks down into, for one thing in the Roundup molecule there's also a nitrogen atom and a phosphorus atom so that already makes it impossible for it to break down into just hydrogen and oxygen. And Monsanto was convicted for false and misleading advertising claiming that Roundup was biodegradable and left the soil clean after use (which is what the case would be if it went to just hydrogen and oxygen), so there's definitely more there. There are varying opinions (and most likely scientific studies supporting both points of view) as far as whether the stuff that is left in the soil is harmful/bad or not, but there's definitely something more there than water.

You might consider covering the area with several layers of newspaper, or a layer of cardboard, and making a raised bed there. The paper/cardboard acts as a weed block, and it eventually breaks down and becomes compost which is all good. :-) You don't need to use any chemicals at all for this method, or do any tilling, and raised beds drain well, which will make your veggies happy. Top the paper/cardboard with any mix of compost and good top soil. Some people also add peat, moss, sand, etc... I think everyone has their own recipe for raised beds. :-)

Here are 3 articles with slightly different slants on raised beds that might help you:

Raised beds Why and How: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/489/
Gardening in Straw Bales: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1084/
The Easy Way to Grow in Heavy Clay Soils ("Lasagna" gardening): http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1035/

To kill off grass in an eco-safe way, we start by laying down a tarp for a couple weeks (mow it short first). This will initially kill the grass. Then pull up the tarp, wet it down, and dig up just the top couple of inches. This will get out enough roots that they won't be a big issue. (The water and dead plants make it easier to dig).

Finally do a raised bed on the area. You get good soil, and any remaining roots are far enough down that they won't bother you again.

dp, if you're so sure of yourself, why don't you link to a peer-reviewed publication in a quality journal and let us judge for ourselves? I don't doubt the general quality of research at A&M, but I would not be at ALL surprised if Monsanto et al. are twisting research to their own purposes. And the only way to determine that is to find the ACTUAL research rather than whatever a marketing brochure cites.

ecrane, I'm not going to argue about Roundup, but I have to say that I think that those people, evidently including you, who think that a world-respected university department such as the horticulture school at Texas A&M would take a bribe from Monsanto or any other company to falsify their findings following controlled studies using the classic model are making a serious charge, and the onus is on the accuser to verify the charges. I know some of the full professors on staff, and they are men of the highest integrity.
The studies speak for themselves.
I just saw a response from ciera. I'm not sure of myself. I am, however, more inclined to believe studies from experts who do controlled studies than someone who posts on Dave's accusing universities of being patsies for manufacturers. Are you? What is your position, other than you don't like "chemicals." What do you think your own body is composed of? I am much more comfortable with university studies than ad hominem attacks by people who are "sure of themselves." Why don't you present evidence that Monsanto can manipulate the horticultural experts at Texas A&M and get them to issue false findings? Do you have a Ph.D. in plant sciences from a highly recognized college or university? I don't; therefore, I rely on them for accurate information.

My friends... the original poster asked a question. Thank you for answering it. Please take the debate to dmail.

Marylyn, if you will READ my post, I indicated I am not going to debate. Thank you for assuming the role of a moderator, however.

Thanx, Marylyn_TX,
I want it to look nice for the Oktoberfest, so plan to let it live wild and free 'til then.
As that is the end of the growing season here in Illinois, I wonder if it will be too late
to cover and kill. I won't use any chemicals. I may have to dig it out. I do want to
till ONE time to add composted manure to my new garden area, and to work in the
several inches of compost (ground limbs/twigs) that I have on the area now. It is
good black Illinois soil underneath.
And yes I do plan to
do a raised bed.
grasslover

You shouldn't have to dig it out. Cover the area up after Oktoberfest and let it sit until Spring. By then, with the freezes and thaws and freezes and thaws and..., you should have a very nice bed when you're ready to plant. :-)