How to kill grass

[Rojak]

I have grass growing under my rose bushes - they were a bit neglected when I bought the house.

I would now like to underplant these roses and maybe create a bit of a bed around them but I don't know how I can kill the grass without damaging my roses and without the grass coming back and growing through any new plants I put in?

Anyone done similar? Thanks

I used a lawn edger to cut out chunks of grass and lift them away. Hoe the soil that’s left, sift out any large stones and handpick any visible remaining weeds.

Thanks - I will try that - will it damage the root of the roses?

Cover it with something so light doesn’t get in, leave for two weeks.

Shouldn’t do. The turf slabs I lifted were only a few inches deep.
Also if it’s a large area and you have a spare corner, lay the turf pieces upside down and a year later it produces really good soil (sift again).