If you over water, the soil may become muddy. Muddy soil is very difficult to work with a shovel. Only water your sod until the soil is moist.
Please note: The WHO considers glyphosate to be a probable human carcinogen. Its use is prohibited in some states and countries. Please check with your local laws and use caution if handling this chemical. Test your soil so see how much moisture is in it by sticking your shovel into the sod you wish to remove and wiggling it back and forth to make a small, narrow hole. Then gauge soil dryness with a touch test. [4] X Research source
Sod is almost like carpet. The roots of the grass weave together to form a thin layer of greenery on the top of the soil. When cut into strips, you can roll up sod for easier handling. Strips that are larger than one foot wide may be too cumbersome for you to handle without help, even if rolled up carpet style. Sod is very heavy. Even if you’ve cut your sod into manageable segments, you may need someone’s help to move it. You may also want to keep some pallets handy to put the removed sod onto and then either hire someone to pick them up or get a few people to help you load the pallets into a truck to take them away. You only need to break through the top layer of sod with a shovel, spade, or edger to prepare your sod for removal. You don’t need to dig especially deep. [5] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
You can remove existing turf with a Classic sod cutter, although if you’re on a slope you’ll have to excavate by hand. [6] X Expert Source Benjamin HansenLicensed Landscape Contractor Expert Interview. 6 October 2020. The smaller squares of sod will be easier to handle and can be stacked in a truck, trailer, or wheelbarrow, one on top of another. [7] X Research source
If you want to keep your sod in one continuous piece, use a spade or pitchfork to cut through the taproots so there is minimal resistance to your removal. [8] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
Clumps of soil might not seem like a big deal at first, but if you plan on rolling or stacking your sod, soil clumps could make your sod uneven and more difficult to transport. [9] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
For especially long distances, or if you only have a few stakes, you could stake the corners of your project area and run string between them to outline your sod removal. [10] X Research source
If you live in a dry region, you may kick up a great deal of dust over the course of your tilling. You may want to wear a dust mask to prevent breathing in dust. [11] X Research source
Set the depth gauge of the tines to a shallow setting for your first few passes. Then, go back and rake out any rocks and hard dirt clods. After you have removed these, then you can re-set the depth gauge of your tiller by no more than a couple of notches. Then, go over the areas again to re-till deeper. Keep going through this process until you achieve the desired depth. Follow the use and care instructions for your tiller for best results. These kinds of machines can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Keep all children, pets, and people out of the area while you are tilling. Getting caught in the tiller can cause severe bodily injury or death. Keep loose clothing and body parts, like your hands and feet, away from the blades of your tiller when it is running. Hold your tiller firmly while it’s running. The force of your blades trying to break up soil can cause your tiller to buck erratically. Losing hold of your tiller could result in damage or injury. [12] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
Generally, your sod will only need a single day of thorough tilling before it is ready to be used for your purposes.
If you live in a humid environment, paper products like cardboard might decay or disintegrate. If the weather report calls for rain, you may want to use a plastic tarp, instead. Avoid using sun blockers that have had colored ink on them. This kind of ink can be harmful to the balance of your soil and surrounding plant life. [14] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
Put your weights around the perimeter of your sun blocker. Even small amounts of sunlight filtering in from the edges can prolong the amount of time it takes for your sod to die of light deprivation. [15] X Research source
You can check whether or not the sod has died by looking under your sun blocker periodically. When the sod has turned completely brown or yellow and has no green remaining, it is dead. Sod that is dead will not grip the soil as strongly as sod that is still living. Killing the sod first with light deprivation will make it easier to remove with a shovel or garden tools. [16] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
There are many different kinds of grass, and some of these may be resistant to certain grass herbicides. If your sod is not killed by the herbicide, talk with a representative at your local home and garden store to find which herbicide will work best for you. [18] X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
Some herbicides can be dangerous to get in your eyes. For this reason, you may want to wear googles while applying your herbicide and avoid applying it on windy days. Avoid applying herbicide if there is rain in the forecast. Rain can wash herbicides into the water or surrounding ecosystem and cause damage. [19] X Research source
