Will plastic covers on slope kill weeds?

Question

I will leave cover on till next spring. What will I need to do to soil at that time to plant slope with perennials.

Answer 1

Yes, it will kill them, but they'll come back.  Using a large plastic sheet is a good idea to make sure you have a nice, "naked" piece of soil to work with in the spring, but you will still need to regularly weed your garden, either with a spray or by physically pulling the weeds.  Keeping gardens weed free requires regular maintenance and there's no way around that fact (that I know of).  But if you weed once per week, the job won't get overwhelming.  

In the spring, just add a good plant food when you're planting your perennials, and make sure to mulch around them.  

Answer 2

Dark, waterproof covers will kill the visible plants but not necessarily the roots.  That's why dandelions and such come back every year.  Take a few samples of what you have growing into a good greenhouse and ask their advice.  They will be able to tailor a solution to the particular weeds that you have.

Answer 3

It can kill the seeds that are in the soil - but weed/grass seed still blows in on the wind.

Generally, this won't kill grass roots - you need to use a grass killer like Roundup in the fall before the grass goes dormant.

Till the soil up real good - add compost/peat moss in the fall/winter.  This will also expose any insects.

Plant your plants - surround them with mulch - don't leave any bare dirt areas and this will cut down on the weeds.

Answer 4

First remove whatever weeds you can.

Cover the area with landscape fabric. This prevents weeds and lets air and rain get through.

Plant your perennials.