Maybe a little off topic, but.....

[JohnJames]

I'm expanding my garden this year, and was wondering if it's possible to till the existing sod directly into the soil, or do I have to strip the sod first?
I pulled it by hand last year and it took for ever and was a pain in the a*# to get rid of....I swore I would never do it again...yet here I am...lol
Will grass re-root itself, or will it just die after being tilled. I am, of course, going to be adding more soil and not just planting into existing.

Thanks,

John

 

[muskymojo]

I would get rid of the sod and ammend the soil. A flat shovel works pretty good.

 

[AlabamaJack]

if you have a big area to do, this may be helpful...

http://www.homedepotrents.com/proTools/sod_cutter.asp

 

[ZanderSpice]

I think it will just regrow unless you build up on top of it or re-till every few weeks. You can till, then cover with news paper + cardboard, then clean topsoil, compost etc... on top. I'm killing off some of my lawn with cardboard and some will probably get covered with a woven landscape material. I'll plant in containers on top the first year, then next I'll get down into the soil. Some other small areas, I'm doing it by hand. It's a horrible job I just keep putting off.

 

[SuperHot]

if you have a big area to do, this may be helpful...

http://www.homedepotrents.com/proTools/sod_cutter.asp

Thanks AJ, I didn't know these machines were available. I killed myself last year doing it by hand and shovel. I plan on expanding the growing area another 1k ft^2 this season and that will certainly save on the back!!

Great thread!!

 

[Justaguy]

I tilled mine under and then added 7 inches of leaf compost on top of it. Not saying it was right, but the season should tell.

 

[woody3says]

I tilled my area under then raked out grass.....added composted cow manure, tilled and raked grass again....watered then tilled again in two days, raked grass again. I have St Aug so it made it easier to rake out.

So far so good!