Harmless Grass Killer

How can I kill off an area of grass without using toxic Roundup type products? I don't want to have to dig it all out by hand before I put down weed barrier and gravel or mulch. Any suggestions? Thanks, Nanadee

You could pour boiling water over it or use vinegar. Or if you're putting weed barrier over it you don't necessarily need to kill it first, you can just put it down right over the grass, that'll block all the light and kill it. If it's something like Bermuda grass maybe it would find its way through the weed barrier but most grasses will just die. I did that in a section of my yard and a year later when I changed my mind and decided to turn the area into a garden bed, I pulled the weed fabric up and all the grass was nice and dead.

Thanks ecrane, I'm not sure if it's Bermuda grass or not but its hardy pokey grass. I'm in Arkansas but new to the area. I thought if I killed it first it might be more effective.