Homeowners often need to remove a lawn when planning to install new garden beds, convert to water-wise xeriscaping, or replace old turf. The existing grass must be completely eliminated to prevent it from competing with new plantings for resources. Methods for grass removal vary widely, depending on the gardener’s priorities, available time, willingness to invest manual labor, and preference for organic approaches. Quick, labor-intensive processes offer immediate results, while passive methods require patience but build better soil structure over the long term.
Immediate Removal: Manual Digging and Sod Cutting
The fastest way to clear a grassy area is through physical removal, a labor-intensive process that immediately prepares the ground for use. This involves cutting and lifting the turf, which is composed of the grass blades and the dense, shallow root system, known as sod. For small areas, a sharp spade or flat shovel can be used to slice the sod into manageable strips, typically about one foot wide and two to three feet long.
The shovel blade should be inserted at a shallow angle, cutting just a few inches deep to separate the roots from the soil beneath, minimizing the removal of valuable topsoil. For larger sections, renting a motorized or manual sod cutter significantly reduces the physical effort and time required. Once lifted, the removed sod can be rolled up for easier handling and repurposed by flipping it upside down in a low-traffic area to decompose into compost.
The Low-Effort, Organic Method: Smothering
For gardeners who prioritize soil health and minimal labor over immediate results, smothering, often called sheet mulching or lasagna gardening, is highly effective. This organic method kills the grass by blocking all sunlight, halting photosynthesis and causing the plants to die. It also leaves the dead organic matter in place, enriching the soil as it decomposes.
Preparation begins by mowing the grass as short as possible and then thoroughly watering the area to encourage decomposition. Next, a light-blocking layer, most commonly overlapping sheets of cardboard, is laid directly over the turf; all tape and staples should be removed first. This carbon-rich layer is wetted again to secure it and initiate the breakdown process, acting as a physical barrier the grass cannot easily penetrate.
The cardboard is then covered with several inches of nitrogen-rich compost and a final layer of carbon-rich organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, creating a thick barrier. This layering encourages microbial activity and earthworms, which break down the materials and incorporate them into the existing soil. This method is the least disruptive to soil structure, but it requires a significant waiting period, typically six weeks to several months, allowing the grass to completely die before planting.
Accelerating Removal with Heat: Solarization
A distinct grass removal method that uses heat to sterilize the top layer of soil is called solarization, which is best performed during the hottest, sunniest months. This technique relies on the greenhouse effect to trap solar energy, raising the soil temperature high enough to kill grass, weed seeds, and some soilborne pathogens. Unlike smothering, which uses darkness and decomposition, solarization uses intense heat.
The process requires preparing the area by mowing the grass low and watering the soil deeply, as moist soil conducts heat more efficiently than dry soil. Clear plastic sheeting, typically two to six mils thick, is laid over the moistened area, not black plastic, which would absorb the heat and prevent it from reaching the soil. The edges of the plastic must be tightly sealed with soil, rocks, or other weights to trap the heat and moisture.
Under ideal conditions of strong sunlight and high air temperatures, the top six inches of soil can reach temperatures as high as 140°F. This heat effectively “bakes” the unwanted vegetation and the dormant seed bank. The clear plastic should be left in place for four to eight weeks, depending on the local climate and sun intensity, ensuring complete kill before the plastic is removed.
Preparing the Soil for New Use
Once the existing grass has been killed, the final stage involves preparing the exposed ground to support new plantings. If solarization or smothering was used, the plastic or any remaining cardboard residue should be removed or broken up to prevent it from obstructing water and air movement into the soil. It is also wise to intentionally germinate any remaining weed seeds by watering the area for a couple of weeks and then hand-pulling the resulting seedlings.
Regardless of the removal method, the soil benefits from the addition of organic matter before planting. Incorporating several inches of high-quality compost into the top layer of soil improves the overall structure, enhancing both drainage and water retention. This amendment introduces beneficial microorganisms and nutrients necessary for the successful growth of a new garden or lawn.
After amending, the soil should be smoothed and leveled, then allowed to settle for a few days before planting begins.