The decision of how to remove grass depends entirely on the size of the area and the ultimate goal for the exposed ground, such as installing a new garden bed, patio, or pathway. Selecting the correct tools for the scale of the project saves significant time and labor while ensuring the best foundation for the new landscape feature. Projects ranging from small, precise edging to stripping an entire lawn require fundamentally different approaches and equipment. The best tool is the one that matches the task, whether a simple hand tool for a small patch or a powerful machine for a large expanse of turf.
Tools for Small-Scale Manual Removal
Removing small patches of turf, defining garden borders, or clearing grass from areas inaccessible to machinery relies on specific hand tools. The primary tool for this job is a square-edged spade, sometimes called a flat shovel, designed to slice cleanly through the turf and its dense root system. To minimize soil loss and make the sod manageable, first cut the perimeter of the area, then slice the grass into strips approximately 12 to 18 inches wide.
Once the strips are marked, the spade is used to make shallow, horizontal cuts just below the root layer, typically one to two inches deep. This severs the roots from the subsoil, allowing the sod to be lifted and rolled up like a carpet. For areas with highly compacted soil or tenacious roots, a mattock is beneficial. Its dual head, featuring an adze blade and often a pick, provides the necessary leverage and chopping force, particularly for loosening hard ground or severing thick root masses that a standard spade cannot penetrate.
Tools for Large-Scale Stripping
When clearing a large section of turf, a powered sod cutter is the most efficient tool. This specialized machine uses a horizontal blade that slices through the grass root system beneath the soil surface. The sod cutter removes the turf layer in long, uniform strips, making the process of clearing hundreds or thousands of square feet significantly faster than manual methods.
Before use, the area should be cleared of debris and lightly watered a day or two prior, as moist soil allows the blade to cut more smoothly. The blade depth is adjustable but is generally set to remove one to one-and-a-half inches of material, taking the root system without excessive subsoil. Operation requires a steady pace and careful steering to ensure straight lines and uniform strips, which can then be easily rolled up for disposal or relocation.
Tools for Post-Removal Soil Preparation
Once the grass layer is stripped away, the underlying soil requires preparation before planting or construction. A rototiller is a common tool for this stage, using rotating tines to churn the exposed earth and break up compacted soil. Tilling is useful for incorporating soil amendments, such as compost or peat moss, deeply into the earth to improve drainage and nutrient content.
However, tilling can disrupt the natural soil structure and beneficial microbial networks. An alternative approach is using a broadfork, a manual tool with long, widely spaced tines that is pushed into the soil and rocked back to aerate and loosen the earth. The broadfork achieves deep soil aeration without inverting the soil layers, which helps maintain the established fungal and bacterial communities beneficial for future plant growth.
Supporting Tools for Cleanup and Disposal
The physical removal of grass creates a substantial amount of debris that requires management. A heavy-duty wheelbarrow is used for transporting the heavy, dense rolls and chunks of removed sod to the disposal site or composting pile. Sod is heavy due to its moisture content and attached soil, making a robust wheelbarrow necessary.
For managing the loose soil and debris left on the surface, a bow rake is essential for smoothing and leveling the ground. The stiff, short tines of the bow rake effectively gather stray roots, rocks, and soil clumps while preparing a clean, even surface for the next step. Large tarps or contractor bags are also practical, as they can be laid out to receive cut sod strips, which are then easily dragged away, significantly reducing the amount of lifting required.