Getting rid of sod for garden plot...

[seedcorn]

Next site I prepare will be simple. Spray glyphosate, let grass die, till with blades in reverse. No carryover chemical, grass becomes fertilizer, it's dead, win win win.

 

[thistlebloom]

For my flower beds that I build where I have lawn I don't even worry about removing the sod, I just build right on top.
I lay down cardboard on the grass, or several thicknesses of newspaper (about 10 sheets thick). I thoroughly wet the cardboard or newspaper than start layering aged horse manure, peat moss, and soil until I get it about 12 inches thick.
I wet each layer as it goes down.

In two weeks I plant it. If I have overlapped my base layer of paper or cardboard well, there is never any grass growing up into the bed. If you don't overlap you'll know because the grass will come up in the cracks.

I've made lots and lots of beds this way and to me it's the easiest, least labor intensive way of starting beds over lawn.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thistle makes a real good point. How do you plan to plant it? In the ground, raised bed, or some other method? That could have an influence on how you prepare it. .

 

[Smart Red]

Here's the tiller I use to chop the grass and dirt!!
THANX RICH

Humph! And then there are us little guys. . .

 

[bobm]

Here's the tiller I use to chop the grass and dirt!!



View attachment 2148



THANX RICH

That rig is wimpy compared to the 3 D9 s with deep rip plows, land planes and lazers that I used to level my land for 9 days to make it usable. Sorry , No photos as I did this 19 years ago.

 

[dickiebird]

That rig is wimpy compared to the 3 D9 s with deep rip plows, land planes and lazers that I used to level my land for 9 days to make it usable. Sorry , No photos as I did this 19 years ago.

Like I always say "no photos then it didn't happen"!!!!

THANX RICH

 

[MontyJ]

Here's the tiller I use to chop the grass and dirt!!



View attachment 2148



THANX RICH

OK Rich, it's official. You suck.

 

[so lucky]

For my flower beds that I build where I have lawn I don't even worry about removing the sod, I just build right on top.
I lay down cardboard on the grass, or several thicknesses of newspaper (about 10 sheets thick). I thoroughly wet the cardboard or newspaper than start layering aged horse manure, peat moss, and soil until I get it about 12 inches thick.
I wet each layer as it goes down.

In two weeks I plant it. If I have overlapped my base layer of paper or cardboard well, there is never any grass growing up into the bed. If you don't overlap you'll know because the grass will come up in the cracks.

I've made lots and lots of beds this way and to me it's the easiest, least labor intensive way of starting beds over lawn.

Is this in raised beds with borders, or just raised beds in your lawn?

 

[thistlebloom]

Is this in raised beds with borders, or just raised beds in your lawn?

Raised beds over lawn essentially. It would work anywhere though.

Do you mean borders as in a frame of some kind around the bed?

I always edge the beds with my half moon edger and sometimes I add a border of small boulders later. Some times much, much, later.


This bed was put in against the house right on top of the lawn.

 

[canesisters]

OHHHHHH Thistle! THAT is going in my 'garden inspirations' file! LOVELY!