How To Get Rid Of Woods Grass: 6 Fool-Proof Techniques Explained

Don’t you hate it when the grass starts marking its territory where it does not belong? Are you tired of dealing with stubborn woods grass on your lawn? I know I was. 

We don’t want or need grass everywhere, and that is something it always fails to realize. This pesky weed can be a real headache for homeowners and landscapers alike. But don’t let it get you down! 

With the right approach and a little persistence, you can get rid of woods grass and have a beautiful, healthy lawn.

In this article, I’ll share with you my personal experience and the methods I’ve found to be most effective in identifying and eliminating woods grass.

You can use natural heat to kill off the grass and cut up the sod. But if you are resorting to chemical methods, then you can use herbicides or bleach solutions for this. 

In the end, the technique that you choose depends on whichever is convenient for you – but I will be discussing them all in detail right here. So, if you’re ready to take back your lawn, let’s get started!

Different Ways To Get Rid Of Woods Grass

Woods grass is a common name for a variety of grasses that grow in wooded areas, such as fescue, brome, and bluegrass. It is a common lawn weed that can be difficult to eliminate. You can try using the methods here to get rid of woods grass.

1. Using Shovel/Sod Cutter to Remove Woods Grass 

The purpose of this method is that you will be removing the sod completely. That is, instead of just removing woods grass where you don’t want it, you will be removing the sod by cutting it. 

For that, you will need either a shovel or a sod cutter. A sod cutter would be preferred if you plan on replanting it elsewhere. Start by creating lines on the space that you plan on cutting. 

Then proceed by cutting along the line, ensuring the cuts are parallel. With a sod cutter, the cuts will be rather clean, but it might get messy with a shovel. 

Once the sod has loosened up, use your hands to pull up the grass. This way, you will be removing the grass completely. You can then replant the loosened sod chunks somewhere else, or you can just let them be. 

2. Deep Mulching to Remove Woods Grass 

The most effective and natural process of grass removal is deep mulching. For this technique, you will be needing paper (newspaper or cardboard), a water sprayer, and deep mulch. 

Start by placing paper on top of the grass. Make sure the paper has been evenly placed on the grass, then spray water over it. This step is supposed to wet the paper overall. 

And once it is completely wet, it is time to add the deep mulch material. Make sure the material is about 5-7 inches deep – now use the water sprayer to wet the deep mulch. 

But before you choose this technique, you should consider the fact that this might take months to work. The purpose of this process is to basically decompose the grass. Surely it will work faster if the mulch is wet, but it won’t be as fast. 

3. Boiling Water/Vinegar to Remove Woods Grass 

Another natural technique that will exceed your expectations is boiling water or vinegar. Although you can only use boiling water if the grass is small, but it will still produce efficient results at a low cost. 

Start by pouring boiling water over the area of grass you want to remove. You will notice that the grass has started to turn brown. But this usually doesn’t stay long; hence, you must repeat the process quite often. 

Eventually, you will notice that the grass has burnt out, and you can remove them afterward. If the grass has grown significantly, you can use horticulture vinegar. 

Fill a spray bottle with horticulture vinegar and spray them over the area of grass that you need to get rid of. Repeat the process a few times – but don’t overdo it. Although vinegar does not harm the soil, it is better to be careful.

4. Solarizing To Remove Woods Grass

Are you planning on removing woods grass during the summer? In that case, solarizing them might be your best option yet. It is cost-effective, and natural, and it won’t require much of your time as well. 

The concept of this process is to cook the soil in order to kill the grass. That is only possible if the heat reaches a certain level – hence, summer is the only feasible time for that. Get a black plastic large enough to cover the area. 

Then cut the grass, so they are short enough; after which, you will be putting the plastic over them. You can only cover the area when the sun is at its hottest in your town, or you can always keep it covered. 

Keep it that way for a few weeks, and eventually, you will find the grass to be effectively dead. This will also destroy the sod, so prepare to get rid of that as well. 

5. Using Herbicides to Remove Woods Grass 

No time to wait for getting rid of the grass? In that case, using an herbicide is your best option. And not just any herbicide, I would recommend using glyphosate – also known as the grass root killer. 

Mix water with glyphosate in a spray bottle. Afterward, spray the mixture in the area where you don’t want grass. Repeat this a few times, but make sure not to overspray. 

The benefit of using glyphosate is that it will not affect the soil in any way. However, it will surely kill the grass wherever it is sprayed. Therefore, you can expect this technique to be totally effective. 

If you don’t find glyphosate, you can also use other herbicides. But no matter what it is that you choose to use, make sure to read the labels and instructions. You wouldn’t want to harm the soil in the process. 

6. DIY Bleach Solution to Remove Woods Grass 

There is another effective liquid solution that will kill the grass almost immediately. But you will have to gather all the ingredients and make it yourself. 

For this solution, you will be needing equal parts of acetic acid, salt and dish soap. The acetic acid and salt will kill the grass immediately, and the dish soap will ensure the solution penetrates the grass. 

If you do not have acetic acid, then you can pour salt after spraying the grass with water. However, this is not going to be as effective as using acetic acid, so do search for it. 

Also, don’t forget to wear your safety gear while you are using chemical solutions. Wear your gloves and goggles and also keep your hair covered. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you normally get rid of grass where you don’t want it? 

Several methods can be used to get rid of grass where you don’t want it. They are categorized into two major categories – natural and chemical. Depending on your resources and preferences, you can choose any of the methods.

2. How do I permanently get rid of grass in my area? 

If you want to permanently eliminate grass in your area, you should use chemical methods. The most effective chemical for the purpose is glyphosate. It kills the root of the grass, so you can permanently get rid of them. 

3. How do you stop wild grass from growing? 

To make sure wild grass does not grow, you have to keep your lawn healthy. Use fertilizers and herbicides for the process. If you want to stop the growth of grass overall, then block the light from reaching that area. 

4. Does Epsom salt kill grass?

No. Epsom salt is one of the most beneficial ingredients for every plant. Epsom salt supplies two essential nutrients to plants: magnesium and sulfur. This salt has been used for decades. In addition to colorful fruits and flowers, it is a balanced food for roses, peppers, tomatoes, etc.

5. How effective is vinegar at killing grass?

Vinegar is an effective natural herbicide for killing grass. Vinegar from the kitchen won’t kill grass, however. It is necessary to use horticultural vinegar, which contains more acetic acid than regular vinegar. 

Using vinegar, salt, and dish soap to make the cocktail, you have all the ingredients you need to kill the grass permanently.

6. How long does it take for vinegar to kill grass?

Compared to other killers, vinegar works faster. The process takes only 24 hours to complete. However, you must be careful not to kill anything else. Your lawn’s primary plants can be damaged by vinegar. 

Making a mixture of vinegar, table salt, and dish soap is an innovative way to use vinegar. By using dish soap, vinegar will only adhere to grass, and other plants will be spared.

7. What is the cheapest way to kill grass?

The cheapest way to kill grass is likely to use a homemade vinegar solution and water. This method is inexpensive and easy to use, but it does have some limitations.

To use vinegar to kill grass, you will need to mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto the grass, avoiding any plants or areas you want to keep. 

The vinegar solution will kill the grass by drying out the leaves and roots, but it will not have a lasting effect on the soil so the grass may return.

Another cheap alternative is using boiling water to kill the grass. This method is also easy to use and requires no additional chemicals. Boil water and pour it over the grass you want to kill.

Be careful when using this method, as the boiling water can cause burns and damage nearby plants. Remember that these methods will only work on the immediate area and may need to be repeated in case of regrowth.

Also, vinegar and boiling water will kill the target grass and other plants it comes in contact with, so be sure to use it only in the targeted area.

Final Words 

So, now that you know how to get rid of woods grass using these techniques, which one would you choose? My personal favorites are solarizing the grass and using glyphosate – that’s how they get killed from the root. But you can choose whichever you want – just ensure you implement it properly.