The weed cloth is out then. I want this to be easy not a huge headache down the road. I will have to see if I can get enough newpapers to try this. If not I will just use mulch and whatever I can find. The soil is so rich with worms I don't want to use plastic and kill all of them. Might try cardboard since it will have mulch over it anyway so the slickness will not be an issue. Breaks down just as nice anyway and should attract worms just like newspaper would. Thank you all, this should be easier then I thought short of the blisters I know I will have before all the grass is dug up.
Think of your blisters as a badge of honour. You're not taking the easy way out, poisoning your soil.
A good pair of gloves and a good trowel will prevent the blisters. I have done almost the whole backyard and working on all of the front yard digging them up and pulling out by hand and never have had a blister. Mechanix makes a lightweight mechanics glove that is perfect for yard work and very long wearing and I love the Corona trowel. Corona Trowel (CT3010I) 3" wide blade 12" long Comfort grip Polished aluminum Lifetime
I would definitely agree that covering the grass is the best way to go about getting rid of grass without having to worry about any negative effects to your "welcome" plants short of digging it up, chemicals worry me. Good luck to you.