[celiner]

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

[KISS]

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

[MOWERMAN2468]

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.

[bjoates]

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

[celiner]

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).

[MOWERMAN2468]

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

[celiner]

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.

[Bellagrace19]

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...

[celiner]

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

Thanks again everyone.