What is the best way to get rid of a patch of grass on my lawn in order to create a flower bed?

I have quite a large yard that is mostly grass but want to create flower gardens in a few areas. I've read that salt kills grass but will I still have to pull up the dead grass in order to start my garden?? Also, will the salt destroy the soil beneath the grass??? Thanks for your answers. Much appreciated.

What is the best way to get rid of a patch of grass on my lawn in order to create a flower bed?
The answer with the plastic will work,BUT you will have to leave the plastic tarp on the ground and cover it with potting soil or crushed rocks,than poke holes where you want to put your plants .
Reply:Use a utility knife cut the outline and foot strips between, use a shovel to start each strip and grass will roll up pretty easily.
Reply:i cover the area with black plastic, or a dark tarp for a week or two. the grass will die and then you can till it under, or turn it under by digging with a shovel. if you don't kill the grass, or scrape the sod off, you will forever be weeding it out as it will come back up.i used to scrape the sod off and dig the garden out in rows, then place the sod upside down in the garden. the black plastic is much easier.
Reply:U will have to turn the soil to plant a garden. Get a tiller and it will get rid of the grass for u.
Reply:Yes the salt will cause you to have to wait a couple of years before you plant any flowers. The only sane way to get rid of the grass is to dig it up under the root system. This can be done with a shovel in small areas or a front-end loader in larger areas.





You can't kill grass and weeds by covering them with a tarp, they may look dead when you remove the tarp, but they WILL grow back.