Lawn Removal: How to Kill Grass with Cardboard
For decades, the obsession with the perfect manicured lawn has been deeply rooted in American culture. But here's the catch – that pristine grass comes at an ecological cost, one that's often overlooked.
In this article, we'll explore the ecological benefits of replacing your grass with native species and delve into the eco-friendly strategy of grass removal using cardboard – also known as sheet mulching.
Disclaimer: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only feature products that we believe in and use ourselves. Your support means the world to us and allows us to host this website. Thank you!
Are Grass Lawns Really Necessary?
The quest for the perfect lawn has driven homeowners to invest significant time, effort, and resources into maintaining a picture-perfect slice of nature. But, in reality, that manicured lawn is more of an ecological wasteland than a thriving ecosystem.
Grass demands a constant flow of inputs to maintain its appearance. From water and fertilizers to pesticides and herbicides, the list goes on. The gallons of water poured into lawns are not just draining our wallets; they're depleting local water resources and contributing to environmental degradation. The chemical concoctions sprayed to keep weeds and insects at bay are harming not only the targeted nuisances but also the broader ecosystem, including beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and even our pets. And let’s not forget the gas-guzzling mower that adds additional costs to our wallets and contributes to air and noise pollution.
Perhaps most importantly, grass lawns do little to nothing to support local wildlife. Lawns are monocultures that provide next to no habitat or food for living creatures. The more homeowners strive to turn their plot into a grassy oasis, the fewer species can survive on that land.
It's time to break free from the notion of the American lawn and embrace a more eco-friendly alternative – native plants.
How Can I Landscape My Yard Without Grass?
Native species are adapted to the local climate, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. They also provide vital resources for local wildlife, supporting pollinators, birds, and other essential elements of the ecosystem.
There are numerous native alternatives to a traditional grass lawn that will also support local wildlife. Groundcovers, sedges or grasses, expanding perennial gardens, and hedges are just a few ideas.
Don’t feel like you need to rip out all of your grass all at once either! Even small, incremental reductions in your grass lawn will be beneficial. For example, each year I expand my garden beds out by a foot or two.
Best Eco-Friendly Ways to Remove Grass:
Manual Removal: Roll up your sleeves, grab a shovel, and get ready to sweat. This method involves physically removing the grass, either by hand or with the help of tools like a sod cutter. If you are removing a small area this is a good approach.
Pro tip: Wait until after a rain or water the grass prior to removal to make it easier to work with. Using a spade or edger, cut grass into squares or rectangles about 12” x 12”. Cut down about 3”. Once you have made these cuts you can slip the spade or under the grass and lift up the section. From here you can dispose of it, or I prefer to flip it over (so roots are now facing up) and let it compost in place.
Solarization: This technique uses the sun's energy to cook your grass to oblivion. Cover the area with clear plastic, trapping the sunlight and heating the soil underneath. Be sure to weigh the plastic down entirely with bricks, rocks, etc. While effective, solarization can take weeks, needs to take place during warm weather, and the plastic waste generated might not align with your eco-friendly goals.
Sheet mulching with cardboard – my preferred method. This method is not only eco-friendly but also a fantastic way to recycle those cardboard boxes piling up in your garage and save endless hours of painful digging.
Sheet Mulching with Cardboard: A Step-by-Step Guide
Collect Cardboard: Check with neighbors, visit the grocery store's produce department, or seek out local businesses for plain cardboard. Remember, plain cardboard without coatings or colors works best.
Prepare cardboard: Remove any tape or labels, as they may contain non-biodegradable materials.
Mow or Cut Existing Grass: Trim the existing grass as short as possible to facilitate better cardboard contact with the soil.
Water the Area: Moistening the soil before laying cardboard helps it conform to the contours of the ground, creating a snug fit.
Lay the Cardboard: Place the cardboard sheets over the entire grassy area, ensuring there are no gaps. Overlap the edges or the cardboard to prevent grass from pushing through the cracks. Don’t skimp on overlapping! Water the cardboard again. Alternatively, you can presoak the cardboard prior to laying it down.
Layer organic matter: On top of the cardboard, add layers of organic matter, such as compost or straw, or a light layer of woodchips. This creates a mulch layer that further suppresses grass and nourishes the soil as it breaks down.
Patience is Key: Allow the cardboard to work its magic. It usually takes several weeks to a few months for the grass underneath to die off completely.
Planting: Once the grass is gone, you can plant your native species directly into the mulch layer. I’ve also have had lots of success planting directly into the cardboard right after sheet mulching. To do so, push back the mulch layer and slice an “X’ in cardboard large enough to fit the root ball of the plant you want to put there. Pull back the cardboard and plant as usual. For sheet mulching inspiration, check out Jay’s Garden Journal on Youtube - she is the queen of sheet mulching with stunning gardens that prove the method works!
By replacing your grass with native species through eco-friendly methods like sheet mulching, you're not just saving time, your body and money – you're contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment. So, let's wave goodbye to the high-maintenance grass lawn and welcome the beauty of native plants into our yards, creating spaces that not only look great but also support local ecosystems.
