Yard Installation: How to remove lawn first?

You might be about to opt for a new yard installation or are just dissatisfied with your yard’s current look. However, removing lawn is easier said than done but accomplishing this task paves the way for another exciting opportunity for your yard. 

The two common lawn removal methods are lifting the lawn and killing the grass by smothering or herbicides. The following are ways on how to remove the lawn from a yard:

1. Digging up the lawn

Measure your lawn

Removing a lawn from a big yard requires your mind and energy. Therefore, try to divide your lawn into smaller parts for a guide. Having a look at your yard will lead you to determine how you are going to do it.

Select from your tools or machine

After identifying the yard’s size, choose what tool or machine is available to make the removal easier and convenient. Hence, there are several ways on how people dig up their lawns. 

• Spade/Shovel. Use this to scrape or pull out the grass, especially if the area you remove is not too big.
• Grub hoe. Swing downwards and pull off the grass with a grub hoe.
• Quail sod cutter. If you want a wider range of removing the grass, use a quail sod cutter. Afterward, hold it up and use your foot to push it forward. It is hard to use in compacted soil.
• Sod cutter. It is mostly used for lawns with a larger range. Also, you can rent a sod cutter if you don’t have one. Use this if the yard is too big for you.
• Rototiller. A rototiller is an in-demand machine in yard installations. Hence, by tilling the ground, the grass also pulled out. 

Make sure that the lawn is not wet

Wet or compacted soil makes it heavy for you to uplift the grass. Adding to that, a large amount of dirt and soil will go with your removal. Removing the lawn when it’s dry will make it easier for you.

Pull out the grass and chunky materials 

If you have perennial plants on your lawn, make sure to pull them out or kill them as they will soon come back and grow. However, you can not go for a new yard installation if you have these lying below your topsoil. 

 Separate the turf removed

Moreover, don’t allow the grassroots to start all over again. Pitchfork makes it easy for turning piles, and you can also use a rake to sweep off the grass. If you used a rototiller, make certain that you remove the old turf even with the soil attached to it.

Know where to put your old lawn

You can relocate it or ask if garden centers near you accept removed turf. You can use it for composting. 

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2. Smothering the grass

Are you displeased with your previous yard installation? You can try smothering. Indeed, grass and weeds die when smothered because their exposure to sunlight is absent. Plant food is not just the water or the fertilizers you put into the soil. They need carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make their food. If something is missing in the three elements, they won’t be able to survive. Plants need the sun to perform photosynthesis. 

Smothering the lawn with cardboard, newspaper, compost, and mulch on top (also called sheet mulching) effectively adds nutrients to your soil and kills the lawn at the same time.

Steps in smothering/sheet mulching:

• Wait for the fall to take advantage of rains
• Mow and remove tall grass to flatten 
• Mark your sprinkler heads
• Smother the lawn. Preferably with biodegradable cardboard or newspaper. 

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Others opt for plastic, but it is a waste to buy so much, and later on, it will be just thrown away, adding to the plastic garbage. Make sure that no grass or weed is exposed.

• Water your cardboard
• Put 4 – 6 inches of compost and mulch (If preferred)

After 6 – 8 weeks, the grass under your cardboard is dead. If you don’t want to use sod cutters or herbicides, this method is right for you.

3. Applying herbicides

Yard installation can require too much work if a big area, especially if you have perennial grasses. Some use herbicide containing glyphosate for the easy killing of the lawn.

Consider the following in applying herbicide.

Furthermore, research about the herbicide you will use to avoid harmful effects on microbiological organisms, soil structure, the environment, and human health.

• Do not mow before applying the herbicide
• Read the directions and warnings carefully in applying herbicide in your lawn.
• After the grass has died, rake off the lawn and apply topsoil if preferred.
• Do not use herbicides during windy or rainy days to avoid being drifted off the soil.

Are you going for a new yard installation? Or a different look for your landscape? Put in mind your purpose in removing the lawn. Carefully consider the present situation and your environment before choosing which method to use. Enjoy planning for your new yard!