I am replacing my small patch of lawn with some loose stones. I know I have to lay some special black covering to stop the weeds and grass growing through the stones. Do I need to remove the grass and break up the soil or can I lay this sheeting directly onto the existing grass?

I am always looking for the easy way out!!

Many thanks

Get out and get some exercise. You might wish to use some ground clear before or after.

If you wish to take the easy out way, I would suggest cutting the grass really low, then use roundup, then lay down the weed blocker and then the rock.

Please post what happens, I am planning on doing the very same thing:)

Thank you all for your replies. I suffer from arthritis and a lot of the time the easy way is the only way. I think I will do the following,

Cut grass really tight.
With the spade at an angle, scrape and remove the top 2 inches of grass and soil.
Lay the membrane.
Lay the stones.

The patch of lawn I have to work on is already very level and rubble free.

Hopefully will get this done in the next 2 - 3 weeks. (If it stops raining! - can't work in the rain if you have arthritis).

Just send the excessive rain to TN we will GLADLY take it here.

Well, in the good old emerald isle (Ireland) it is always raining. We had 50 days of nonstop rain during June and July. We had a lot in August and Sept seems to be going the same way. The first spell of dry weather we get, I will get out there and finish the garden off once and for all. Then I am off to my holiday home in Spain. I need to remind myself that there is a sun behind the clouds.

Enjoy your sunshine and heat.

I am replacing my small patch of lawn with some loose stones. I know I have to lay some special black covering to stop the weeds and grass growing through the stones. Do I need to remove the grass and break up the soil or can I lay this sheeting directly onto the existing grass?

I am always looking for the easy way out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks
Hi...
Im Virginia, and I work at a Nursery/Landscaping business...
The Most proficent way to do this, is that we found if you use a sod cutter, or shovel up the grass with a flat shovel about 2 1/2 inches to 3 deep, and get the grass and the roots, then spray with a roundup, then place your black cloth down, that will work a lot better, and last a lot longer in the end...
If you just lay the black cloth down, that just seems to heat things up and allow the weeds to grow healthier and thicker...
I hope this helps...

Thank you. I will try to do as you say (except for the round up).

Thanks again everyone.