The Best Way to Keep Grass Away From Flower Beds

Overview

Flower beds are a great place for your favorite plants, but not so great for grass. Grass often spreads into flower beds because of the long stolons grass sends out, above ground, in order to multiply. Some grass types also have long, deep-reaching roots that can spread from the lawn into nearby flower beds. Invasive grass, in large quantities, can begin to choke out flowers and plants by robbing them of the nutrients and moisture they need.

Step 1

Apply glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, to an empty flower bed two weeks prior to planting any flowers. This will kill off any existing grass in the flower beds.

Step 2

Rotary-till the flower beds to dig up and mulch any dead grass in the beds. If your flower beds are small, use a shovel to perform this task instead.

Step 3

Clean your gardening tools regularly. Grass and weed seeds can live in soil and be transferred from one area to another.

Step 4

Use high-quality compost and top soil in your flower beds. Poor quality soils and compost can contain grass or weed seeds that will sprout when added to your gardens.

Step 5

Plant flowers in abundance. Grass has less chance of invading a flower bed if most of the soil, and its nutrients, is dominated by plants. Plant low-lying ground cover between larger plants to further inhibit the growth of unwanted grass.

Step 6

Lay down a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch on top of the soil. Mulch inhibits grass and weed growth by depriving them of the sunlight they need to germinate.

Step 7

Install a boarder around the perimeter of your flower beds. By placing an edging product, such as the plastic edging, between your flower beds and lawn, you lessen the chances of grass spreading into the flower beds.