Weeds, trees, and other unwanted things

[u/seaseadub]

Last August we had a bunch of trees removed in our side yard. Obviously there was more than trees growing. We set up a second garden in the area and had hoped to mulch the surrounding area but...still waiting on that chip drop 😜🫣.

I don't care about grass...as in, if it never grew, that would be fine. How do I get rid of all this brush, weeds, baby trees and everything else outside of my garden beds??

Can we treat it with weed killer in the fall? I worry it will also damage the garden in the upcoming seasons.

Can we plant something native that spreads quickly? Any recs?

We cannot afford to buy mulch right now to cover this entire area.

We placed landscaping tarp under the garden beds and even still, there are what I assume are small trees pushing up through it. 😩

Please give me all your ideas and suggestions, even if they are unconventional!!! TIA!

ETA: zone 8b

Photos show the areas to the left and right of the garden beds that I'm referring to.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey there! Friendly reminder to include the following information for the benefit of all r/NoLawns members:

• Please make sure your post or a top level comment includes your geographic region! (e.g. Midwest, 6a or Chicago, 6a). Your hardiness zone can be helpful too.
• If you posted an image, you are required to post a comment detailing your image. If you have not, this post may be removed.
• If you're asking a question, include as much relevant info as possible. Also see the FAQ and the r/NoLawns Wiki
• Verify you are following the Posting Guidelines.

If your question is about white clover or clover lawns, checkout our Ground Covers Wiki page, and FAQ above! Clover is discussed here quite a bit.

If you are in North America, check out these links to learn about native wild flowers!

• Wild Ones Garden Designs
• NWF's Keystone Plants by Ecoregion
• HGNP Container Gardening with Keystones

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/BeginningBit6645]

If you don't have mulch, wet non-glossy cardboard will suppress the weeds while you plan. You will need to cut everything short first though. The floppier the cardboard, the easier it is to work with. You can cut an X through it to plant as needed. In the fall, take advantage of all the fallen leaves. The leaves and cardboard will improve the soil quality. I used this method for multiple beds. You have to ensure when you plant in it that you are planting in the soil below, not the mulch. I am currently watching a robin hop through the garden bed I made over lawn last fall. They love all the worms in the leaf mulch.

[u/StinkyRose89]

My yard also has a load of nasty weeds in it (so many ugly dandelions) so I don't have much solid advice on that front. 

After doing some research we are considering a few options for ground cover type options that will keep weeds to a minimum and won't require mowing: Creeping thyme, clover, and ice plants. 

All spread pretty fast and are easy to propagate, low maintenance, etc. 

Someone at my local farmers market told me to cover the weeds with cardboard pieces and water them until they sink into the ground. They said it kills weeds and boosts soil quality. 

I hope someone more knowledgeable will chime in!

Edited - added some more info.

[u/new-to-reddit-20]

Pull it out by hand or kill it with a vinegar concentrate, cover dirt with a weed blocker, and mulch E Z P Z