I Have Planted Two Strawberry Plants, And Four Magical Michael,…
Matsha Asked
I have planted two strawberry plants, and four Magical Michael, in a 5 by 5 area, but now have decided I don’t want grass in there. Please help.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Matsha: It is always a good idea to get rid of grass before planting edibles or any other plant material in a bed. It is a lot easier to prepare a bed before planting, but removing grass after planting can be done, it is just trickier. So, you have a couple of options; you can skim the grass out using a sharp spade. This method is probably your best bet. Be careful not to damage the roots of your plants. You can temporarily remove the plants then skim the grass out and replant. If you do this make sure you place the plants in a shady location while you are removing the grass, and get them back in the ground as soon as possible. Spraying with any herbicide is not realistic in your situation since it will likely kill your existing plants as well as the grass. Smothering the grass with a thick layer of newspaper and mulch will work but can take up to a year. This method is typically used for spaces that will not be planted for a while. Whichever way you choose to remove the grass, the plants will thank you; it will help the plants in terms of less competition for moisture as well as nutrients. It will also be less maintenance on your part in the long run. Thankfully the space you are dealing with is not huge. Keep in mind that the strawberries will take over this area in just a couple of seasons.
