How to Get Rid of Grass in Peonies

Peonies are large, flowering landscape shrubs that can thrive for several decades with the right care. These plants are hardy, but they require some specific conditions for growing. Keep your peonies in cool, protected areas, with partial sun and nutritious soil. Weed the peony plot regularly, because these plants don’t tolerate crowding or competition. If you don’t have time to weed the peony plot, use mulch to protect against weeds and grasses.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Rake
• Mulch
• Landscape fabric
• Scissors
• Landscape staples/nails

1. Use organic mulch if you want to maintain an organic peony garden. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the soil and any weeds or grass growing there. The mulch restricts light to the grasses to halt growth. Mulch also maintains soil moisture and warmth for better peony growth.
2. Use landscape fabric for stronger weed and grass control. Rake the site to even it out and remove rocks or sharp objects that may cut the fabric. Roll out the landscape fabric around the peonies, and cut it to fit the site. The fabric should cover all the exposed dirt under and around the shrubs. Leave 1 inch of space between peony trunks and landscape fabrics to keep from putting pressure on the trunks.
3. Push landscape staples or nails through landscape fabric and into the ground to secure the mulch layer. Put staples at the four corners of each length of fabric, and along edges as necessary.
4. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the fabric to further secure and hide it. Water the peonies at their bases from this time forward, to ensure that water gets through all mulch to the roots