How To Kill Grass In Flower Beds (Without Chemicals)

Doesn't it seem like the grass we struggle to keep healthy on our lawns is always thriving in our flower beds? Luckily, you can kill the grass in your flower bed and keep it from coming back using a variety of methods. This includes manual removal, smothering the grass to rob it of sunlight and air, and chemical herbicides. But there is another way to get rid of grass in your flower bed without chemicals and it involves the use of boiling water.

Grass has a few ways to invade your flower bed. It has both underground horizontal stems in the root system that grow through the soil and above ground runners growing horizontally on top of the soil. Both can extend the growth of grass from your lawn to flower beds. Seeds can also be dispersed by the wind or when mowing the lawn. Once the grass gets into the flower bed, it can quickly take over.

Many people prefer to keep gardens and flower beds weed free without the use of harmful chemicals. The use of pesticides on lawns and in gardens has far reaching consequences, including negative impacts on wildlife and human health. In addition, the widespread use of chemicals to kill grass and weeds has long term environmental impacts, since chemicals can remain in the soil and water for decades.

To kill grass without manual labor or potentially harmful chemicals, start by boiling water in a tea kettle. Then pour the water over the grass patches you are trying to eliminate in your flower bed. The hot water damages the cells of the plant, causing it to die. You will notice the grass turning yellow or brown within a day of applying the boiling water. You may have to repeat the process several times to completely kill the invading grass. This method is most effective for smaller grass areas with shallow root systems. It will not work as well on large, deep-rooted weeds. While it seems easy enough, there are a few precautions you should take when trying this hot water method. Be mindful when you are carrying the boiling water from the kitchen to the flower bed because you don't want to get burned. When pouring the water into the flower bed, make sure to keep it away from other plants. 

Once you have gotten rid of the grass in your flower bed, you should take steps to prevent it from coming back. You can do this by digging new growth out manually, putting down a barrier, or using a thick layer of mulch to deny new grass and weeds sunlight and air needed to grow. Another way to prevent grass from growing in your flower bed is to plant ground cover.