*NEWBIE NEEDS HELP ASAP!!*

*Thank you all very much for your responses, they really helped!!! :) I am going to start in the morning!! Yeaa can't wait!! Anyways, I'm not sure the type of grass I have but I live in Northeast Ohio. My boyfriend has a tiller so can I just till up all the grass in the areas I want the beds to be? I'm guessing there will still be a little bit of grass in it but can I just mix my soil with the grass in it now with the little bit of grass still in it or do I have to get all the grass out? And do I put the newspaper down before the soil and then plant flowers in the soil or do I put the soil down first then newspaper and plant?? I went to the garden center and they gave me Potting Soil, Miracle Gro Moisture Control Soil, and Soil Conditioner and told me to mix all three, so do I also mix the original soil that was in the ground in the beginning with all the soils?? Thank you all!!* ;)

*Ok I am in Zone 6b*

This message was edited May 19, 2009 1:16 AM

I didn't see the original message, however, you have to know that if you till that grass you will be starting new plants everywhere your tiller cuts a root.

It sounds like you were advised to put wet newspaper down which is a good idea and depending on the type of grass you have it should work. I have a friend who did that and horse tail come right up thru the paper. 12 sheets. I know horse tail is not a "grass".

Good luck. Jeanette

Yes I'd mix and till it all together,if there are big clumps of grass I'd take them out.But till until your soil is very well blended.We don't put newspaper down,we put down black plastic,even garbage bags,cut coat hangers ,shape them like a "U" with a flat bottom,stick those along the edges so the plastic doesn't come up.Then cut an "X" hole in the plastic and then put in your plant through the hole into the soil.The plastic keeps the weeds from coming through and keeps the soil a little moister and keeps the roots warm.When you water or it rains the water will run into the holes around your plant.And we leave the plastic on all winter until we are ready to plant again,and then take it all off and start over.That way there is less chance of spring weeds coming up before it gets warm enough to plant.

LOL, I used to do that, and it really works well. However, one year when I took the plastic up I had a huge nest of red fire ants, they love heat, and wild morning glory roots were as big as my little finger. They love the heat too.

But, other than that, that plan works well. And it only happened that one year.

Jeanette

I thank you all sooo much for your responses! I have finished my flower bed and this is what it looks like...