what to do with the old lawn sods

[tarby1965]

Hi Everyone,
this is my first post and would like to ask;
I have removed my old lawns sods and made a raised bed, i have had the sods stacked upside down for two months covered over and i want to know what to do with them now please?

[RedThorn]

Hi and welcome to the vine

Depends on the type of lawn. I just turned mine upside down and then filled for my raised beds with no problems.

[Nicos]

We leave them until the following year when all the signs of green have gone.
Our beds were made in March in a field, and we have loads of sods stacked. We'll check them out in February to see how well they've rotted down before digging them into other beds. (Make sure they have disintegrated fully as there are bound to be some weeds ready to grow again fromtheir roots not yet rotted.)

Oh- and welcome to the Vine!

[Scottishnewbie]

on GW a few months ago they turned them upside down, covered them with tarpaulin and he said to leave them for a long time (2 years maybe?), by which time you are supposed to have wonderful soil ready for your beds....

hope thsi helps

[Flummery]

I'd say 2 years too. By them you'll have the most beautiful loam. Use it to mix your own potting compost.

[Snadger]

I'd say 2 years too. By them you'll have the most beautiful loam. Use it to mix your own potting compost.

I agree! You could make John Innes type compost cheaply and traditionally!

[Scottishnewbie]

oh my word, imagine i got something right! i must be learning after all......!!!

[Eco-Chic]

Lol Scottish,

You'll be regretting the newbie bit to your name when you're a guru

[lottielady]

I can speak from experience when i got my lottie 3 years ago we stripped off the grass on top and stacked it and this winter we have used it to fill two new raised beds and it was perfect fantastic soil. It seemed like a long time to leave it but now it is so nice to see a full cycle of nature and use it hopefully to grow some really nice things next year

[nick the grief]

If you can get hold of some Manure re stack it with about 2"-3" on muck between each layer of turf, it will help to break it down and will be even better when you use it ( great for tatties in big pots!!) and yes cover it over it will stop all the nutrients getting washed out.