Features and methods of sod removal

Removing the sod is one of the necessary procedures for arranging the site. Over time, the lawn "goes bald", which requires its renewal. It is worth considering what is the peculiarity of the procedure being carried out and what methods of cutting the top layer of the soil exist.

It is not so easy to create a beautiful and even lawn, since you first need to prepare the base, namely: to clear the area of ​​flowers, roots, flower beds and weeds, if any. You can get rid of vegetation in 3 ways.

• Herbicides. In this case, you will need to stock up on the necessary preparations that will help make the lawn cleaner.
• Bayonet shovel.
• Excavator or clearing saw. One of the costly options, implying the rental of special equipment or the hiring of specialists who will solve the problem.

Each method has its pros and cons, as well as a set of materials and tools that may be required when performing the work. Sod removal is a demanding job that requires a lot of effort. That is why it is worth preparing carefully for the procedure. A basic list of what might come in handy:

• gardening Tools;
• overalls and gloves;
• herbicide preparations;
• sod cutter;
• sealed bags designed for the removal of cut turf.

When it comes to removing sod from large areas, then the best option would be bulldozer or cultivator... However, this method is not suitable for treating a home lawn. You can remove the topsoil with a trench tool. So, for example, it is easier to clean a rolled lawn with a shovel or other power tool. To cope with the task with a shovel, you will need:

• put on overalls and gloves;
• carefully cut strips of old turf with a shovel blade to a depth of 10 to 15 cm;
• pry off the resulting strips.

It is better to do the work together, then the process will go faster. One will hold and guide the shovel, and the other will pull on itself with a rope that will need to be tied to its handle, folding the turf and putting it in a bag.

To cut the topsoil by hand, you can use both a regular shovel and a shovel. The second option is more preferable, since it does not require much effort from the owner and will help to quickly remove the layer without further digging the earth. The area where the sod was cut by hand will be 10–15 cm below the original level. If it is necessary to return the territory to its former height, it will be necessary to add fresh soil or black soil.

There are other ways to remove sod.

• Foreign tool Torf iron. A convenient device resembling a flat sharp shoulder blade on a curved handle. The blade is folded to help cut the turf quickly and efficiently. It has been proven that a person using Torf iron can remove up to a couple of hundred square meters of the top layer of the earth in a day. The instrument is sold mainly in foreign stores. To cut the sod, it is necessary to hook a layer of the required thickness and push the spatula forward and to the side. And also with the help of Torf iron, you can wrap the cut sod into rolls.

• Sod cutter. The disadvantage of hand tools is low efficiency. It is not possible to work with such devices for a long time, since it will take a lot of effort and time. The best and fastest way to remove the surface layer of the soil is to use a technique that runs on a gasoline engine. Sod cutting machines are designed with a plate that cuts the layer of the required thickness and rolls it into a roll.

• Motor-cultivator. Before starting work, it is recommended to thoroughly clear the area of ​​debris that could interfere with the operation of the blades. It is not recommended to treat the entire area with a motor-cultivator at once, it is better to do it in stages. First, you will need to process a couple of squares, then break up the lumps formed by the machine and take out the sod with roots. When the remaining soil has been leveled with a rake, you can move on to the next section.

• Herbicides. A way for those who are not afraid of chemistry and can afford to miss one planting season. Herbicides are sold in liquid form, as well as in dry or powder form. By the type of exposure, drugs are divided into non-selective and selective. The former are designed to destroy all types of plants, the latter will help to get rid of certain vegetation on the site. The essence of the method is the treatment of the earth with drugs that kill plants. In the process of spraying, both the upper parts of the plants and the roots die. However, it is worth noting that a single treatment will not give 100% of the result, since the soil contains small roots and weed seeds.

In the process of mechanical or machine processing of turf, it is recommended to roll up the cut layers into rolls and throw them away or transfer them to a specially prepared place. Additionally, you should pay attention to the fact that it is not always possible to completely remove the sod from the site. To get rid of the old lawn, biological products are used, combining them with mechanical treatment of the territory.

To achieve the desired result, you will need to perform several actions.

• Remove the sod with a sharp bayonet shovel. At the same time, it is important to maintain an even ground surface. It is not necessary to remove the cut soil layer from the site.
• Water the turf with a solution of biological products that will help accelerate the decomposition of organic residues. Popular drugs: "Baikal 1", "Emochka". You can also buy another product that contains microorganisms.
• Spray the sod with a solution of biological products in order to cover the maximum area of ​​vegetation.
• Cover the treated turf with a mulching black film, which can then be easily removed from the site.

Sod cutting is a necessary process for agriculture and landscaping. Removing weeds and damaged soil will eliminate the need for regular weeding and provide an opportunity for planting both various crops and a pretty lawn. Treating an old lawn takes a lot of time and effort. With the right approach, it will be possible not only to speed up the process, but also to achieve a reliable result.

You should heed the advice of experienced gardeners.

• It is not recommended to use fresh manure for the treatment of the site. Organic fertilizer contains many weed seeds, which quickly take root in new soil and create problems with soil use.
• To prevent deterioration of the topsoil, it is better to plant as much space as possible with cultivated plants. Weeds love emptiness.
• Landings should be compacted. In this case, the plants should not be cramped.
• Sod pruning should be done regularly. This will allow you to quickly destroy the weeds, which will no longer gain access to nutrients in the soil.
• It is recommended to process the beds with a pitchfork. If you work with a shovel, you can cut the weed rhizome, which will increase the number of shoots of unwanted vegetation.
• Manual weeding will save you from frequent sod cutting. In most cases, pest plants grow from the top of the root. By organizing regular hand weeding, weeds can be prevented and the quality of the topsoil can be improved.

For information on why to remove sod on the site and whether it is profitable, see the next video.