[Jaseywase]

Hi there,

New to this website, even though have been growing my own for years.  Moved house last year and am in the process of producing a veg patch with raised beds etc in an area that used to be lawn.  there is still grass in between the beds and I was going to ultimately put down membrane first and then bark chips over that.

My question is, do I have to kill off the grass first (as I have done in some areas with old carpet) or can I just put the membrane on top? I was planning to use a heavy duty membrane to do this and the pegs that come with it.

Advice?

[mumofstig]

On my plot I've just covered the grass with membrane and it is dying off

[Trillium]

It also depends on the weight of your membrane. Lighter ones don't work so well, heavier ones (that cost more) do.

I find putting down flattened cardboard first and then the membrane on top works very well.

[sunshineband]

As Trillium says, lighter ones do not work.

They must be completely light resistant, and weighed down to stop them blowing away, too 

[operabunny]

Covering it is fine as long as there is no couch grass in there because that can survive under cover and may end up popping up in your beds 

If there is couch I would use Glyphosate and let it all die back - apply second dose if necessary - and then put down the weed fabric.