how do i stop the grass? (& other landscaping advise needed)

[relaxandreflect]

i have strip of grass along the side between my house and a fence. it is at least a 45 degree angle if not steeper. there is some grass growing, but not much. i hate mowing it and want to cover it with mulch. should i lay down a gardening mat before i mulch? should i use the cedar mulch? should i spray roundup to kill the grass first, or should i leave the grass underneath to prevent erosion? i have also considered eventually planting plants. i would like to put in a larger patio than the tiny concrete square i now have and need ideas on how to do that and other landscaping.


2 main goals are to prevent erosion and stop grass from growing but not attract bugs.


all advise is welcome, and websites are as well.

 

[amdskip]

I'd probably kill the grass that is there now and put down plastic/landscaping material and put the cedar mulch right over that. How about a pic of it?

 

[relaxandreflect]

bump for more input

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: amdskip
I'd probably kill the grass that is there now and put down plastic/landscaping material and put the cedar mulch right over that. How about a pic of it?

Get you some Roundup and scrap out the dead grass with a shovel. Or, just dig it up to begin with and toss it. Then, put down some mulch (I always used cypress mulch.)

You could plant something like ornamental grass or maybe a burning bush (those make great hedges).

 

[spidey07]

why not just grow grass? Mulch and what not will just wash away with the first big rain.

Throw some seed down, some straw, water like all get out for three weeks and never have to worry about it. right now would be a good time to plant some grass seed.

 

Yeah, a black weed-proof mat will do just fine. When our deck was built, my dad and I laid down some weed-cover mat underneath it and covered it with wood chips. No grass has ever grown through.

 

[conjur]

Mulch should be ok for the most part...but...pics would help to see that angle.

Maybe put down some gravel?