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The Deep Middle


Gardening & writing in the prairie echo

DIY Garden Bed Prep -- The Good and the Meh to Lawn Removal

3/16/2018

42 Comments

 
There are a few ways to convert your landscape into planting beds. Two of the most commonly suggested are sheet mulching and solarizing -- both of which can do more harm than good. Why? Let's look at both, and then eventually some suggestions for better ways.

Sheet Mulching
Basically you beg friends and neighbors for as much cardboard as you can and place it over lawn or other plants you want smothered. This is followed by a good watering to soak the cardboard well, then perhaps a layer of soil or compost -- several inches or more. Some will also top this with a few inches of wood mulch or just use mulch. The goal here is to create a plantable area without having to remove current vegetation.  But what's wrong here? It limits air and water transfer between the soil (its organisms and any tree / shrub roots which need to breathe). Read more at this link, or if you like termites, this one. And what if you have thousands of square feet to convert? That's a lot of cardboard.

Solarization
In this method you're putting either black or clear plastic over an area, secured around the edges by bricks or stones, and baking the plants to death that you don't want. Usually you'll solarize over a few months in summer when it's the hottest out. But solarization doesn't just bake plants -- it bakes the soil, in effect sterilizing it. Or more to the point, killing organisms in the soil you probably want. Usually this method is used to kill soil pathogens and pests that growers and those in agriculture don't want -- so why would you use it in your garden if what you want is to promote healthy soil? And promoting healthy soil is good gardening 101. One final point, what do you do with all of that plastic trash? Talk about an environmental dilemma.

What else could you do? Read on.
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Sodcutter
If you've got lawn nothing beats renting a sodcutter. If you can't manage this machine bribe your beefy neighbor. What's wonderful is you get a clean, relatively smooth, ready-to-go surface in one morning. And the rolled up sod makes stupendous compost -- just the best black gold. What's not so wonderful is the exhaust from the machine and the gas you've used.

You'll Hate Me For This
The ends can often justify the means. As much as we vilify glyphosate (rightly so given how much of our nation's ag fields are doused in cancer-causing toxins), this is a fantastic, cheap grass and weed killer that with the right formulation targets only foliage. You may only need one application and the ground is safe to plant after 3-4 days (I've done it). If you're still reading and you go this route, follow the directions. Spray in the late evening in calm wind when the temperature is right. READ THE DIRECTIONS. The dead grass makes a nice mulch to plant into, as well. This method is probably best for a large area. If you want to seed in spring, rake away the dead grass for a fairly clean surface, otherwise a late fall and winter seeding is best right into the dead grass.

Direct Planting Into Lawn
If you've got a patchy lawn area, and / or one you seldom if ever water and fertilize, you already may have a great garden bed. In spring when the grass is actively growing scalp it. Two weeks later when it's recovering scalp it again. Stress it hard. Suck those nutrients and energy out of the roots it was using to put on new growth. Then dethatch the lawn well with a hand or power rake. Go ahead and rip grass roots out of the soil as during this process you are creating places for planting and seed germination. Sow seeds if you're going for a wild meadow look, combine seeding with planting potted material to ease your budget, or go just with potted plants / plugs (making sure to plant on 8-12" centers to compete against the lawn).  I might suggest sowing an aggressive native species like Rudbeckia hirta or Ratbida columnifera, as these plants do a stellar job shading out various lawn grasses and, by the end of year two, have petered out extensively since they work more on a biennial schedule. Then you can go back in and garden or plant some more as you design and tweak the space.
42 Comments
Susan
3/16/2018 06:52:19 pm

Thanks for this article. I have sheet mulched beds to use for gardening with good results but I will take what you say into consideration.

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Elsa Johnson link
3/31/2018 07:06:06 am

In my experience Lasagna mulching done with cardboard breaks down really fast. Ideally one applies it in the fall and it's ready to plant in spring. Wet the ground first. Then again after the cardboard goes down. Add a couple ( 2 to3) inches of topsoil. Then a couple inches of fungal rich compost (all mulches are not created equal) , and a thick layer of wood chips mulch. The cardboard will be largely broken down by spring and you're ready to plant. This method smothers unwanted plants but not the weed seedbank, alas. Still it works well. I've used it under trees with minimal harm to trees.

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Vernah Fleming
3/17/2018 07:27:30 am

Could you please elaborate on the sod cutting method? Exactly how to go about it? For instance, after the sod is removed is there still good topsoil, or does it need to be amended? I'm interested in that method for a couple of spots of lawn. Thank you.

Reply
Benjamin Vogt link
3/17/2018 08:29:05 am

Vernah -- I'm not sure where you are or what your site conditions are like but this is typical: suburban development with topsoil scraped off then lawn put atop clay. Clay soil is in rich in nutrients, by the way. I'm not a fan of amending soil unless you have to, which is rare for homeowners. Amending is more expense and more labor intensive, so instead why not choose plants adapted to your soil, light, drainage and let them do the work of amending naturally over time? What I'm saying is you probably won't have topsoil under the sod, but clay (or something else), and that's ok. How else can I help you?

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Nicole
1/16/2021 06:50:16 am

I used the sod cutting method to convert my lawn (20x30) and it just removed the sod. I now have a beautiful native garden that gets better ever year! It depends how low you set the machine. I’d be happy to share photos if the progress if you are interested.

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Sheri
4/23/2022 12:22:31 pm

I’d love to see pictures

Sadie
3/17/2018 11:50:37 pm

YOU recommend a type of round up? I don't hate you but my mind is officially blown! Again. Gotta mull that one awhile...
Long time since I've been around to comment but that's due to your influence. I'm LIVING in the Flint Hills and have "gone native." I'm all in. Nothing short of a miracle.
One of these days I hope to share more details and explain how you'll forever be THE CATALYST in my world. Your "gardening blog" started a chain reaction in my life and over the last two years, I have set myself free. Free! It's been a helluva ride and the road ahead is just as rough. But it's real. Finally. Radical truth set me free.
All of it impossible without the grounding, energy exchange I experience in these hills. Maybe melodramatic, but this land and flowing water and big sky feel like the heartbeat of my soul. Saved my life in more ways than one. The depth of my connection and the profound experiences I've had are not easy to relay. I could go on and on.
Saying thank you feels flat, but other than my efforts to champion all things native, it's all I have for now... so sincere thanks for being THE CATALYST that set me on the right path.
I'm all in ;-)

Reply
Benjamin link
3/18/2018 02:58:36 pm

Not melodramatic. Not at all. I'm humbled by your words and the experiences you're having. Prairie up!

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Sherie
3/3/2019 03:38:05 pm

Sadie, you are an inspiration too! I have not totally turned the corner, but I'm moving in that direction. Working on some of all the above to remove my sod on 1 side. Instead of roundup, I tried a solution of vinegar, salt and soap spray. Killed the weeds but the grass is just laughing at me. Smothering works but takes a long time. In SW Florida, grass never quits growing.

Carol
6/28/2020 03:04:28 pm

Whers is the flint hills?

Reply
Oliver
1/15/2021 08:36:34 am

A stunningly beautiful part of Kansas. The flint hills (Manhattan ks area for refence) at first sight to me was similar to black hills in SD, like the badlands covered in small larger of soil and short grass prairie. Its worth a visit if you live in the Midwest.

Erin
3/28/2021 10:01:31 pm

I am also in the Flint Hills-MHK. So beautiful here. Reading to make a bed to plant some false indigo, milk weed, daisy, black eye Susan bed.

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Laura
3/31/2018 07:39:40 am

I sheet mulched my entire front lawn last summer and autumn to kill the grass (and also city property on the catwalk beside my house and hoping no one complains). I spent the summer at my local bike shop getting cardboard, and begged TWO full trucks of mulch from a local tree cutting company (it's large for a suburban front yard). I am planting out a native meadow garden in May, but you have made me a little stressed out. I did remove a lot of sod when I planted my back gardens, but had a problem -- where to put the sod. There's no changing things now, so I will just have to see how it goes! At least I no longer have to mow, and the mourning doves are delighting in sunning on the mulch. Thanks for your article, I always enjoy learning more.

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Marcia L Goodrich
3/2/2019 08:13:24 am

Roundup carcinogenic? It ain't necessarily so...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5705608/

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Gnerd
2/21/2023 08:32:55 am

Are you familiar with the fact that the VA attributes cancers, diabetes and other illnesses to exposure to napalm? Relatively short periods of time- months or years. How about some of those active ingredients in nearly every bite of food over a lifetime. Please read the book Whitewash

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Laura Metzger
3/2/2019 06:18:06 pm

What do you think of clover? We need to keep a small part of the backyard mow-able or somewhat walkable. I planted a lot of clover last year, most came up very prettily, then crabgrass took over. I’m trying to decide what to do now.

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Benjamin
3/3/2019 09:33:38 am

It's better than nothing. Still, it's not providing max support to pollinators or the ecosystem. I'm a fan of pussy toes, sedge, and a mix of other low growing natives if the area just needs to be somewhat walkable. There are more options depending on where you are, just requires research.

Reply
Laura Metzger
3/3/2019 09:41:35 am

How I wish! I've tried pussy toes. It doesn't like our soil or climate or something. It just sits there and sulks. We have lots of sedge. Some thrives, some flops over. I'm extending the prairie dropseed areas; I love how gentle it looks. But we still need a lawn-type area for dog and play. Sigh.

Oliver
1/15/2021 08:40:23 am

If you are in the transition zone for grass in the USA. Buffalo grass may be worth looking into. University of Missouri has a couple of good articles on converting lawn space to Buffalo grass. It’s actually native, it was the grass that Buffalo ate on the prairies, and it’s highly compatible with low growing native plants. Bonus is that it takes only 3 to 5 cuttings a year

Reply
Laura Metzger
1/15/2021 09:06:24 am

Thank you! I’m going to look into Buffalo grass. Meanwhile planning vegetable beds over a lot of former lawn also.

Benjamin Vogt
1/15/2021 09:18:23 am

I can't recommend buffalo grass in a suburban or urban residential neighborhood. It greens up far later than lawns around you -- helping you stick out like a sore thumb, and it's not that competitive against weeds (just not thick / tall enough). It also won't do well in compacted clay soils, which are prevalent in subdivisions around the country. It's a neat alternative, but really only for very specific application imo.

Laura Metzger
1/15/2021 11:34:18 am

Yes, I’d realized when I did some research, buffalo grass is not the solution for our hard clay, rocky yard. Thank you, Benjamin.

Laura
1/23/2022 09:00:42 am

I have been reading and learning about sedges lately, and recently read about troublesome sedge, carex molesta, and have thought it perhaps would be tough enough as a lawn substitute. Not sure if it would work, but thought I might pass on the name to you!

Reply
Amelia link
7/20/2020 11:27:41 pm

This article describes how to prepare garden bed perfectly. This is very useful information explain about the garden. i like the information. thank you for the post.

Reply
Ricardo Farah link
2/9/2021 11:53:40 pm

Thanks so much for sharing these tips on how to prepare the garden bed. Lots of great tips!

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Braden Bills link
3/1/2021 08:41:04 am

I want to get some grass installed, but I want to make sure that it's healthy. It makes sense that properly preparing for it would be important! I'll make sure that I get a professional to help me out with this.

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J. Richard link
5/8/2021 03:13:35 am

I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details.

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Jim link
6/18/2021 10:32:25 am

Thanks for this great post! I've been wanting to start a pollinator garden for some time now.

Reply
gardening tips for 2021 link
8/28/2021 10:15:39 pm

Very useful information to explain about this garden. I like the information Thank you for the post.

Reply
Chance Cook link
9/14/2021 07:01:47 am

I'd like to make a plantable area without touching the vegetation. But I have never had such luck in the past. So I wouldn't mind removing some vegetation if it is needed.

Reply
Liquid Carbon for Agriculture link
1/22/2022 09:01:01 pm

Glad you were able to share this. Thank you.

Reply
Adaire
4/23/2022 08:01:06 am

I have Bermuda grass for my lawn and it seems futile to try and dig it up and replace it with natives because it's so aggressive. I'm trying to dig up one of my side lawns right now so I can convert it to natives but I'm worried that the Bermuda grass surrounding it will eventually just grow back in and choke out my plants. But I am glad to see that I may not have to amend my clay soil if the natives will eventually amend it for me. It's concerning though when I have dug up parts of my lawn or dug holes and left them overnight and the clay is exposed to rain, the hole will stay full of rain water for a week! So I'm worried that any seeds I plant will drown. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to make this transition? (I also looked into renting a gas powered sod cutter and it would be around $500-$600! So manual removal it is!)

Reply
Benjamin
4/23/2022 09:33:53 am

Not to be glib, but don't plant seeds. You need to use plugs. Plugs are smaller and cheaper. A great place to get them from is Izel Native Plants. The sooner plants get going, the sooner they can start soaking up water and opening up your clay. Just choose plants adapted to your site conditions.

Reply
Don in Pennsyltucky
4/26/2022 08:04:40 am

When I worked in a nursery (summers in high school) and was sent to plant a tree at a customer's house, we would use a shovel to cut a circle where the tree was to go. Then we would use the shovel to scrape up the sod. We often got the whole 2-3 foot diameter circle in a single piece that we could roll up and offer to place it where there was a bare spot. (Got a good tip that way.) Or we would bring it back to the nursery and shred it into smaller pieces for compost. So we were human sod cutters.

Reply
Power Raking Service link
7/5/2022 03:11:59 pm

Thank you for sharing this information.

Reply
Cary Kandel
8/11/2022 05:45:56 pm

For the Direct Planting into Lawn method - how long between the second scalping/mowing and raking up the grass? Immediately or do you wait another 2 weeks? Thanks!

Reply
Benjamin
8/11/2022 06:07:50 pm

Right away.

Reply
Gretchen
8/13/2022 06:27:17 am

How is "scalping" different from cutting the sod? Just cut it down to the dirt?

Reply
Benjamin
8/13/2022 08:19:41 am

Do an internet search of the term. Scalping is mowing on the lowest setting. Removing the sod is renting a sod cutter.

Reply
Pamela Jean Stegmaier link
11/5/2022 06:54:41 am

Very interesting and really good explanations on garden preps. Now, what to do with my garden bed now as I've already put a layer of cardboard, compost, soil amendments, etc., etc... It's a 15' long, by 5' deep garden bed. Do I go about punching holes through out with a digging bar, or does it all need to be undone??

Reply
Benjamin
11/5/2022 09:50:26 am

You're in it now. Just stay the course.

Reply
Jill
2/8/2023 05:04:15 pm

Is round up ok on a septic mound? Want to convert my mound to natives but hubby is worried about using Round up on it. Any info would be helpful…

Reply



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    Benjamin Vogt's thoughts on prairie gardening in Nebraska. With a healthy dose of landscape ethics, ecophilosophy, climate change,  and social justice.

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