If you are going to get rid of the entire lawn and put garden beds in there instead, then I would use the newspaper method. You don't even need to kill the grass first with roundup. i prefer to avoid chemicals. you would just place several layers of newspaper over the grass and wet it. then put your soil over that. i would use humus or compost, you can buy this in bags or in bulk. this would make the beds raised and then plant directly in the soil. you don't have to wait for the newspaper to break down. you can do the same with cardboard underneath. as long as it is the brown cardboard,not shiny or coated kind. layer the soil (humus/compost) 10 to 12 inches over this cardboard or newspaper because flowers and perennials don't have roots that go further than that. there is alot of info on this method on the internet. lasagna gardening. or no till gardening. good luck.

There are a number of ways of approaching this. If you are doing the work now, RoundUp would not be my first choice. Our soils are still too cold for even our cool season lawns to be in active growth and the plants need to be growing for RoundUp to be properly effective.

You do want to avoid landscape fabric - it doesn't work as well as one would hope and causes more problems than it solves in this type of application. For the raised beds, a thick layer of newspaper topped with the soil mix of your choice is fine - nothing more to do. For the planting areas that are now currently lawn that won't be raised, unless you can top with at least 6" of soil (more would be better), you are restricted to planting shallow rooted groundcover type plants, if you layer first with newspapers to smother the lawn.

The soil under turf grass is typically quite compacted, impacting good drainage and limiting the development of a healthy root system for most plants. Ideally, removing all the sod (use a sod cutter - slam-dunk easy) and tilling in organic matter will give you the best start for a good planting area. If this were my project, that's the route I'd follow. Lasagna gardening works well if you have the weather and the time to allow the natural decomposition process to take place, but for immediate planting in a highly visible front entry garden a faster approach is warranted. There is nothing wrong with tilling or cultivating the soil per se and adding organic matter to enrich and loosen the soil for a initial bed prep - it is the effects of repeated tilling that destroys soil structure and can promote erosion, although the latter is not likely in a small, suburban garden.

You have gotten very good info so far. I just wanted to add a few comments. Proper soil preparation is just about the most important thing you can do for a garden. Do not rush this step!! I would never us landscape fabric in an area that I was going to plant...especially perennials, annuals or ground covers.

Also, since this is the Landscape DESIGN Forum I am trying to figure out your design. I will say that a successful grass-less front yard is very hard to pull off and it is an ambitious project for a 3rd year gardener. What area of Washington do you live in? What motivated the use of the raised beds? What ideas to you have for providing year round interest? Do you plan on creating usable space in your front yard?

- Brent

Thanks for the advice.

Our yard is flat, so I don't think I'd be able to add 10" to 12" of soil on top of that, without it looking strange. However, after thinking about it, I might just be able to work something out. Since there will be four 3-ft wide paths, maybe I could somehow make the planted areas into beds. That just might work. Would 8 inches of soil be enough?

I saw landscaping timber on the Lowes website, so I think that could be used to make the borders for the beds.

So is the grass under the newspaper/cardboard ever a problem then? Or, does the newspaper smother it for good? I just worry about weeds and grass coming up after a while.

Brent,

Now I really feel like I'm in over my head. :-)

My goal is a grass-less front yard, as I hate mowing the grass! In my head, of course my project makes total sense, but I'm sure it's going to be a big headache once I start it. For several months, I've been researching flowers and plants, trying to figure out what I want to plant. I'm 'trying' to pick ones that will bloom throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. I'm also trying to find ground covers, grasses, etc. so the area won't look completely dead in the winter. I eventually might have to consult with a professional regarding what to plant.

I live in the Seattle area. As far as my plan, what I have for sure is an octagon-shaped cedar bed (4-1/2 feet in diameter), with a smaller octagon that sits on top of that. I planned on placing the bed in the center of the yard. I know for sure that I want to have at least a couple of paths in the yard. Other than that, I suppose I should really think about the original shape I chose (the only word I can think to describe it would be a sunburst).

By usable space, do you mean like a sitting area or something like that? If so, I do already have what's called a cedar 'tea table' in one of the corners. Other than that, the other areas will be flowers/plants, or paths.
I've added a link to a picture of the space I'm dealing with. It was taken in June of 2006, but you get the idea.

Do you think I'm completely out of my mind for taking on this challenge?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:11345}}

Colli - grass-less front yards in Seattle are common and with our increasingly dry summers and ongoing water limitations, they make a good deal of sense. Perhaps one in 4 of my design clients are asking for the same approach as you - they no longer want to water or tend ridiculously small patches of unused lawn when something more aesthetically pleasing, drought tolerant and low maintenance can be had just as easily.

Reconsider the raised bed approach. This is not always the best idea for a high visibility entry garden, looking a bit like a leftover vegetable garden regardless of what was planted. And seldom does the very precise geometry of a raised bed garden successfully accent the residence unless you are going with a very formal house and a very formal parterre garden with bricks or stone forming the beds and paving the walkways. And this is just not the character or attitude of most Seattle neighborhoods and certainly not your home.

Try for something a little looser and more organic in its approach. Go ahead and remove the sod, add some organic amendments and till, forming gradually raised planting beds (mini berms) with a slightly recessed, softly sweeping pathways moving you around to the side yards or wherever access is required. You have your choice of path materials - just allow sufficient width and/or durability to make walking and transporting equipment and supplies easy.

For your situation, I'd consider two paths, one staring about 1/3 of the way along the drive, the second starting just past the 2/3 mark, and have them meet up towards the side of the house with the organically shaped mini-berms flanking them and in the center. Add some rock, some low growing and drought tolerant plant material with perhaps a midsized tree for a focal point (place off center in one of the beds) and you're good to go!

colliwobbles:

I would have sent you a note saying that Pam (gardengal48) is a professional designer in the Seattle area (I think) that does consultations, but your profile does not have an email. I lived in the Seattle area from 1996-2000 (Redmond and Bellevue) and I sure miss the area.

Thanks for posting the picture. I would point out that it might be worth dealing with those two conifers near the front of your house. IMHO, they distract from the "cuteness" of your house and the welcoming red door. A more welcoming path to the front door would be a nice addition as well, it you can fit it into the budget.

Converting the entire front lawn into planting beds is an ambitious project. I would definitely thing about incorporating a sitting area and maybe a bench as well. It would be a shame to create a beautiful garden that you could not get out into and relax in. The fenced in yard does give you a bit more freedom than the average yard since you are not completely on display. Also, including plenty of shrubs will reduce the maintenance considerably.

- Brent

Thank you both for ALL the help and info you've supplied, and I really appreciate the time you've taken to answer my questions.

Brent - I like your idea about the conifers. I'd never really thought of getting rid of them, but that might be a welcome change. I think I'll start with the one by the door, and then work my way to the other.

Pam - I would love it if you could help me out with the plans! I'll send you an e-mail request.

This time I included a picture of the tea table we recently assembled. It looks a little out of place now, but with leaves on the trees and flowers blooming, I think it will fit in better.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself before. My e-mail address is now posted.

Thanks again!!

- Jana

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:11346}}