I'm going to attack a Nutgrass infested area today using the some of methods recommended on this site. I believe one technique mentioned is to cover the affected area with newspaper and then more soil. My assumption is that this smothers the grass as well as blocks moisture from getting to it.
I have an abundance of cardboard from boxes that are used for packing and shipping that I'd like to use in place of the newsprint. Perhaps this is splitting hairs but is this too much of a barrier? I plan on adding 6" of new bedding mix over the cardboard and replanting the garden with natives and wonder if the barrier might be too good, preventing proper root growth of the new plants. Seems to be a catch 22, stop the Nutgrass from growing up through the new soil yet the new plants will certainly want to grow through and below the barrier. In the case of some plants I might have to punch through the barrier just to plant the properly.
Timing seems to be the issue. Hopefully the Nutgrass dies before the plants want to root below.
So what to do you think? Cardboard or newspaper? If newspaper, how many layers might be adequate?
Thanks, Stuart
_________________ I don't know about you, but I hold my breath when I walk anywhere near the pesticide asile at Home Depot!
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