So efforts to eliminate grass in the garden become harder if you allow the plants to mature.

Each plant can scatter hundreds of seeds in a garden bed.

But be aware that a broad-spectrum herbicide also will kill any ornamental plant it comes in contact with.

Flowerbed with yellow flowers surrounded by soil

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Apply the Herbicide

Apply the herbicide to the entire exposed grass plant.

If the blades are not completely dead, reapply herbicide.

Apply selective herbicide exactly as you would a broad-spectrum herbicide.

Materials and tools to remove grass from flowerbeds

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Nutsedge isnt a grass but rather a member of the sedge family.

you’re able to identify nutsedge by the small tubers in the root ball.

Thus, they are of limited effect as a measure to prevent perennial grasses from growing in your garden.

Herbicide sprayed on to exposed grass in flowerbed

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

If your garden contains ornamental plants that you want to self-seed, avoid this bang out of herbicide.

Pre-emergentweed killersusually come in a granular form that is blended into the garden soil.

However, most grasses are perennial plants that can regrow if even a small bit of root remains.

Herbicide reapplied to grass in flowerbed with wand-style sprayer

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

So complete removal involves carefully loosening the soil and tugging out as much of the roots as possible.

With some grasses, the root system can be many inches long.

It is not practical for large gardens that are heavily infested with grass.

Dead grass dug up with spade from flowerbed

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

But for a small garden or one that has minor grass problems, this is an environmentally friendly solution.

Vinegar poured into sprayer container

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Grass killed by flame from propane torch

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Clear plastic tarp placed over grass for solarization

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Small grass plant removed by hand from flowerbed

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

Mulch for flowerbeds closeup

The Spruce / Steven Merkel