I planted 5 shrubs in my backyard today. I forgot how much of a pain it was to dig up deep-rooted grass and dispose of it. So I wound up digging about a 3' hole for each shrub. I'd like to convert it to a shrub bed so I don't have to mow around the shrubs. Is it OK to use grass killer for the remaining area? When can I apply it, meaning, is it safe for my shrubs (dogwood)? They're very small - less than 1'. How long do I need to wait before I can lay down mulch? I'm also planning for a large perennial bed. The area is already slightly raised, so I don't need to create a raised bed if I can just kill the grass. Can I simply apply grass killer now to prepare for the perennials I'm going to plant in the spring? I read about the lasagna method, but since I don't need to raise the bed, I thought it would be overkill. TIA!
I would never make alternating layers of soil and mulch anyway, no layer cakes (lasagna) occur under ordinary circumstances in nature. The humus making material always belongs on top, where the air is. Timing now should be excellent for products containing glyphosate. Little cause for concern as long as you are sure to keep spray drift off of your existing shrubs. Read all of product label, mix and apply according to directions given there.
You could try to kill the grass with a thick mulch layer of newspaper and soil to kill the grass and promote decomposition. The area may be ready for digging in in the spring. I would be nervous applying grass killer, especially since you're already planted the shrubs. I would think that a contact grass killer that did not get blown onto or otherwise contact the shrubs would no migrate. I would expect that the grass killer would would be gone by Spring. Talk to a pesticide dispenser at your local nursery.
