Question
I am planning to start a garden in a new spot that hasn't been tilled in probably 40 years. What is now lawn used to be a hog lot. Grass there is always thick and green.

1) How do I go about removing the grass, or do I just till it under? A friend recommended using round-up first to kill the grass and roots, but I was afraid there might be residue that would harm new plants.

2) The spot is on a gentle hill and to prevent erosion I would have to run the rows east to west. I have heard that north and south rows are better because of how the sun hits and how the plants shade each other. I am thinking of having grassy paths between rows. Would that make the difference?

I'm sure I'll have more questions for you, but for now I'm just trying to get this garden started. Thanks for being a volunteer. The advice is greatly appreciated.


Answer
Hi Barbara
spray it with the round up, let the grass die and then till it under, the residual effect of the herbicide will only last about 2 weeks after that you can water the area throughly to clense the soil to make sure. then add your soil amendments till them in and then it will be ready to plant.  Good Luck  Larry  ;-)