preparing raised beds

[seedsowing]

I am new to Lubbock and to this forum. I am baffled by bermuda grass. My plan is to build 24 8'x4' raised beds for a vegetable garden. The sunny spot for the garden has bermuda grass - dead I thought until that last rain. Does anybody have any suggestions for me? Here is my plan: till the soil; cover with landscape fabric; build 8' x 4' frames on top (2 layers of 6" x 8' cedar). Plan to leave 2' paths around the beds and cover the pathways with crushed stone.

I had planned to cut away the landscape fabric inside to raised beds for corn, blueberries and other deep rooted plants. The previous owners had raised beds (with no fabric) that are now full of grass with very deep roots.

I am an organic gardner and will not use weed killer. Again I welcome your advise.

:/

 

[vfem]

You need to get as much of that grass out as you can, and then I would cover with moist layers of newspaper. It will be easier for your plants to get their roots through over time then landscape fabric. Besides, I have centipede grass and bermuda grass, and it grows right up through the landscape fabric, and in some cases will grow under and out the other side.

I wish you luck... and WELCOME!!

 

[NwMtGardener]

Hello seedsowing! I dont have any advice on bermuda grass, luckily havent had to deal with it! But i'm sure someone here will have some ideas. Are you in Lubbock, TEXAS? Glad you joined us on TEG.

 

[seedsowing]

I've tried digging up the bermuda grass. But in a few days it is back. The roots must go down to the center of the earth.

My hubby and I moved from Colorado to escape the snow & cold. Lubbock was selected as our new home because of cost of living. Zone 7 should yield alot more gardening options. Except for the constant wind, we are glad to be here.

In Colorado I battled bind weed guess bermuda grass will be my nemesis here.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

No help on the Bermuda grass, but wanted to give a shout out from Maine! I hope you enjoy the process of starting your garden from scratch in a new home. How exciting!

 

[ninnymary]

Welcome, Seedsowing :rainbow-sun My nephew went to school in Lubbock, Tx so I've heard of it. We don't have bermuda grass here so sorry I can't help you. There are alot of good people hear, so I'm sure someone will be able to help you.

Mary

 

[Southern Gardener]

First of all welcome to TEG!!!

Second - I hate to tell you, but you will never get rid of Bermuda grass all together unless you excavate your entire lawn, and I mean dig down a foot - and that's iffy. I battle it everyday and everywhere - that stuff can grow thru concrete so don't waste your money on landscape fabric. I just pull as much of the roots out as possible (and often) and I also pour boiling water on if its in a place I can't reach. Wish I had better news for you! Good luck.

 

[Kassaundra]

I'm planning on getting a weeding torch just for runner grass, don't know if it will work, but I'm going to try and patrol my bed edges

 

[lesa]

Kassundra, we got one this year, and have really enjoyed having it. Don't go too crazy around your gardens- it does kill off micro-organisms in the soil. But, for edges and tough weeds, it works great!

 

[thistlebloom]

Bermuda is bad bad news, and like Joan says, you will never be rid of it short of nuclear annihilation. The best thing is to be super diligent in controlling it, that means practically daily (!) and never never let it go to sod.
I think the torch idea could be a good one around the edges, but bermuda can grow really deep too.

Welcome to TEG and I wish you much success in the Bermuda War!