I have some kind of invasive grass growing that someone told me is zoysia grass. My neighbors have patches of it. I am trying to landscape my yard and side yard and don't know what to do with this stuff. It has sent runners up and into the raised bed I made around our new garage. I've tried digging it out and pulling it up tears up my hands. It's like trying to rip up nylon fishing line. I am wanting to add dirt to a low area and put in a bed of bushes along one side of our yard. Is there anything I can do to keep this stuff out of my flower beds? I have tried spraying in front of my raised bed with the extended length Round up. It seemed to help some but got ahead of me while I was gone for a few weeks. HELP !!!!!!! I'm also interested in having somebody come out to give me ideas since I and my grandkids are very bird and nature friendly. I've been planting a lot of native plants and am now interested in finding out where is the best place to get conifers and which bushes are best for this area. I have put a ton of work into this yard since we bought the house 6 years ago this month and it's killing me to think this grass is ruining all my work. I want a nice lush border garden around our yard and need someone who really knows about this stuff to give me some advice. Again HELP !!!! Thank you for your time. I'm most anxious to hear from you.

Dear Donna, It is very possible your source is correct and you have Zoysia grass. You should confirm this for sure with your local extension office or your favorite garden center. Zoysia is a warm season grass, very adaptable to your area. Grasses with rhizomes are difficult to control as the root system can be extensive and robust. A physical barrier that is deeper than the root system is only practical for small areas. A soil/turf open edging that is 4 or more inches deep will definitely slow the spread and also gives you an easy edge to apply a herbicide like you have been using as runners emerge. For Roundup to work the best, the grass will need to be actively growing and as you have already experienced, will likely need to be applied several times a year. Roundup can be applied using a “wick” type of applicator and does not need to be sprayed limiting drift issues.

For native plantings, contact your closest arboretum for help in making selection choices. Native plants will also promote populations of native insects as well as attracting native wildlife. In recent years, retail nurseries and garden centers have also seen the benefit of offering natives to their customers. You may have to travel a greater distance to get what you want, but worth it. A quick web search showed several native plant societies and potential sources of native plants in your area and into Missouri.

Continued good luck with your gardening.

Sincerely, Richard Hentschel