I'm transforming my front yard (about 32' x 18') into a flower garden, aiming to grow a mix of annuals, some natives, and perennials. I've already broken up the grass after a nice rain, which made the soil soft. Now, I'm trying to figure out the most effective and cost-friendly way to proceed without disturbing the soil too much. I'd prefer a no-till method (like laying down cardboard and adding compost) but that can get pricey for decent thickness. While tilling the grass in crossed my mind, I'm concerned about disrupting the soil's ecosystem and increasing future weed issues. So, I'm considering removing the grass by hand since it's already in chunks, then adding compost, mulch, and finally planting over 1000 seedlings once the last frost has passed in about four weeks. Does this plan sound feasible? Am I overlooking anything? Is it wild to try and remove sod by hand?
3 Answers
Could you clarify what you mean by 'broken up'? If you're dealing with typical lawn grass, a sod cutter makes it super easy. Tilling is okay if you have clay soil, but going manual with just a rake could be your last resort if the sod is weak.
Killing the grass is key! Flattened cardboard or a weed barrier works wonders. I did a similar project last fall and by the spring, I had germination after just layering things down. Just remember, a sunny, dry spot is ideal. Cosmos grow great in these conditions!
The soil is actually quite rich for me! I’m transplanting a variety of seedlings, so I’m going for it after the frost. Love those cosmos too!
Using cardboard is effective but takes longer. I recommend flipping the grass over and layering it back into the hole; it dies and helps keep nutrients. Then, get some compost delivered and spread it over the upside-down grass. You can plant right into that without worrying about grass later.
By 'broken up', I mean I used a shovel to cut the grass into chunks, not digging too deep. The topsoil is good, but yes, there’s clay underneath.