You answer would be D) Smothering
Explanation:
A) Gridling is where you cut the bark of a tree in a complete circle, all the around. That being said, answer choice A is incorrect.
B) John put a black plastic over the invassive plants, therefore John isn't mowing the invassive plants. That being said, B is incorrect.
C) John didn't dig the invassive plants, all he did was cover them. That being said, answer choice C is incorrect.
D) Smothering. Smothhering is when you basically suffocate the plant. By covering the invassive plant, it's no able to get any sunlight which will cause the invassive plant to die off. That being said, answer choice D is correct.
E) John wasn't preparing the area around the plant, which means answer choice E is incorrect.