Hey everyone, I'm new to gardening and working on creating some new beds. As I cut into the ground, I'm wondering what to do with the grass I'm digging up. I'm removing most of the dirt and putting it back in the bed, but I'm curious if I can just toss the grass into the compost. Will it ruin my compost or just turn it into a grassy mess?
5 Answers
My experience wasn't great—I ended up with a grassy hill! I found that drying the sod out for a week on a hot sidewalk before composting it really helps. Once it's broken down, it makes for some awesome soil.
Yep, you can definitely compost it! Just ensure your compost heap is covered to maintain moisture and block out light, which helps it break down better.
Just a heads up, sod can often have plastic netting in it, which isn’t great for compost. Keep an eye out for that!
You can add sod to the compost, but be careful about how much you add. If there's too much, you might end up with a grassy hill instead. If that happens, you could cover it with a tarp for a few months to let it die off. Alternatively, flipping it upside down in the garden beds can also work, especially if you want a bit of raised area. Just be cautious with certain grasses like warm-season types or bentgrass.
I've composted sod several times and it works fine if you manage your pile well. Just make sure to turn it regularly and it shouldn’t survive. It's a great way to recycle!
Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely try drying it out first next time.