Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 2Aug 06, 2008 1:37 pm I've been meaning to ask the same question myself, DaisySparkle18, but, being the sensitive type, was worried that people might think I was not an experienced gardener because an experienced gardener knows that ... nothing but nothing will keep couch or kikuyu outta your garden!
You need to learn to live with it and try and control it but ... I've heard such grasses aren't deeply rooted or something and that if you dig a trench around the area to be protected, they either don't breach the moat (which sounds unlikely) or ... sorry I simply forget! My veggie patch is a love-in where the exotics such as couch and kikuyu tango with the spuds! Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 3Aug 06, 2008 1:46 pm DaisySparkle18 Hi, Can anyone please advise me how to keep the darn grass (the running type) out of my garden. Hubbie and I are thinking of digging a trench along the edge of the garen bed and laying in a barrier of black plastic - do you think this will stop it, and how deep do I need to go with the plastic as I gather the grass can grow down a fair way... Many thanks for a great forum full of very useful info. - Danielle. Previous place had kikuyu - gave up on the instant turf and oversowed it - we had redgum sleepers 200 mm high (dug in about 50 to 75 mm) - the picture below in the background gives you the general idea - that seemed to stop the kikuyu, except where the sleepers joined. Normal garden maintenance kept this in check. Guess my theory would be they may get through a thin barrier but not the thick barrier a sleeper offers. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 5Aug 06, 2008 2:18 pm I have kikuyu, and I wouldn’t have any other grass!
On occasions I get the spade out and cut the runners off where the garden bed starts. After a while, you can then maintain the runners with the whipper snipper. I have NO problems what so ever!!! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 6Aug 06, 2008 2:20 pm Michelle I have kikuyu, and I wouldn’t have any other grass! After spending a fortune on turf and watching it die...and then rough sowing kikuyu seeds and it growing like the bujesus...I'd have a tendency to agree....I learnt a lot in seven years with my first garden.... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 8Aug 06, 2008 4:33 pm couch is really hard to keep looking good (look at how much money golf courses spend on it!)
in Gardening Australia mag they recommended having a decent trench - don't even need sleepers. on the grass issue - my vote is for empire zoisiya! Hardier than couch, less water than kikiyu. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 9Aug 06, 2008 4:45 pm kikuyu is normally supplied with a mix of kikuyu and couch from turf farms
no real way of containing it have a look at www.ancoturf.com.au www.hgturf.com.au Da Vinci Outdoor Living Architectural landscaping http://www.davincioutdoor.com Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 10Aug 06, 2008 8:28 pm What are peoples thoughts or experiences on Tall Fescue. I am looking at putting it in on a 100mm bed of topsoil over broken clay ground, treated with some gypsum. Adrian B Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 11Aug 06, 2008 8:35 pm Adrian B What are peoples thoughts or experiences on Tall Fescue. I am looking at putting it in on a 100mm bed of topsoil over broken clay ground, treated with some gypsum. That's the stuff I spent a fortune on.....whatever your told about drought tolerance please don't use it....it needs lot's of water...and dies anyway..and mine was laid the same way as your suggesting...I think Stonecutter's zoisiya is a good candidate...... http://www.empireturf.com.au/Char_Info.htm mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 12Aug 06, 2008 10:52 pm I agree witht he above
If you have Kike then using those pathetic edging products is W.O.F.T.A.M! If you have couch then the mentioned edging products are also the above description (W.O.F.T.A.M) Regular edging with an edger or spade or similar edging instrument is the about the only way. Another option you have is a narrow spray treatment of once a year path weeder along the edge of the lawn. that contains a pre-emergent that stops the roots from forming well and reduced growth rates resulting. The down side is that you don't get a nice clean green edge. It will help with an answer to the question posted though. Here's how West Aussies can make sand into soil Checkout The Forever Project Before starting your landscape attend a FREE Great Gardens workshop Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 13Aug 07, 2008 2:16 pm Wow - what a great response, thanks so much everyone...
to_do_list: Great garden BTW. Love the brickwork. I wonder how deep I need to dig the trench, any idea? Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 14Aug 07, 2008 2:20 pm DaisySparkle18 Wow - what a great response, thanks so much everyone... to_do_list: Great garden BTW. Love the brickwork. I wonder how deep I need to dig the trench, any idea? Seems the consensus is the general method is to dig the trench and manage runners that way - all the ones I've seen in gardens around the place are about half a square spade deep....that must be close to 100 mm..... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 15Aug 07, 2008 2:34 pm I don’t have any garden walls, my gardens are built up with soil only, no surrounds.
For me it’s a simple thing after 21 years, pull the suckers up, or whipper sip then back. I have a LOT of gardens!!!! ALL very low maintenance. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 16Aug 28, 2008 1:19 am We were thinking of planting empire zoiysia but on the other side of our fence we have what looks like kike growing wild in a creek bed. With the advice posted I think we'll plant a garden bed of espaliers (750 mm) along the fence line, and then wack the crap out of the kike if and when it appears. Will also complain to council to keep it under control (might help with snakes as well shudder).
Have lived with it in 2 previous properties, and can't stand the stuff. Re: Keeping grass runners out of garden beds 17Aug 28, 2008 9:00 pm Used to have Kike and kept it out of the bottom of the fence with once a year path weeder Appreciate that Chippy. I won’t do sand under pavers and will connect all up under pavers, however I was going to do: 1) Roadbase compacted with manual hand tamper 2)… 10 18565 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Please help me to answer this question , it will help me a lot as i can go to buy confidently with your recommendation: I want to put synthetic turf in our backyard for… 0 5540 |