Is there a 'best way' to dig up turf?

[Seahorse]

I want to reorganise my garden a bit for the next growing season, so I'm digging up some ground that has been lawn since the year dot. It's hard work! I'm not exactly Kate Moss but I'm quite petite and even jumping on the spade with both feet isn't cutting into the ground properly some of the time (and who knows what I look like to the neighbours!? ).

The spade is quite new and fairly sharp, so I don't think a different one would make much difference. Should I try again after rain? Or will that just mean the ground is even heavier? Is there a special technique? Any prep work that would make it easier?

Any help gratefully recieved!

Claire

[OverWyreGrower]

We hired a turf stripper from the local hire shop!

It's a petrol driven beast that takes about 1 to 2 inches of turf away for you as you push it along. They are heavy, but I managed to do it... see below for pics of turf stripping our veg beds:







They're not too expensive to hire, but you'd need a large car of van to bring it home in.

[Snadger]

Depending on how much turf you have to lift either a turf lifting iron or a motorised turf stripper could be used.

A turf lifting iron has a heart shaped blade that is sharpened on all edges and the shaft is stepped so you dont have to bend so much.

If its lawn turf why dont you just dig it in? Dig the soil and place the clod upside down in the bottom of the trench. That way you are putting the grass and thatch to good use as a water resevoir under the soil and adding organic matter to boot!

[terrier]

If the ground is so compacted that seahorse can't get a spade into it, it may be an idea to use a rotavator to break up the ground? Just a thought.

[Seahorse]

The turf stripper looks very useful! However, it's a relatively small area (about 12m square) so I don't really want to spend a lot of money. There's a junk shop near me that often has weird old garden tools, so I shall definitely check out whether he has a turf lifting iron going cheap.

Snadger - it's actually breaking the surface that's hardest, so digging it in wouldn't be any easier would it? (unless I'm missing a really obvious point - it's been known, lol!). I'm also a bit worried that all the dandelions and stuff in it would come back to haunt me!

Claire

[rustylady]

If the ground is really dry, please wait a bit until you have some rain - it will make it much easier. What sort of soil is under the turf? Heavy clay or lighter sandy stuff. Are you clearing a huge area or just beds? All these questions do make a difference to the best answers.

[rustylady]

If you're not too worried about the look of it for a bit, and as you say it's a relatively small area try covering it with old carpet or heavy cardboard. This will kill off the topgrowth - I've used this method on the lottie with couchgrass and after it's been covered for a few months it's relatively easy to dig. The covering kills off the topgrowth and seems to draw the moisture up so it's easier to dig.

[Seahorse]

Posting at the same time rustylady.

I'm very much an amateur but the soil looks lovely to me - nice and dark and crumbly.

Claire

[OverWyreGrower]

The turf stripper looks very useful! However, it's a relatively small area (about 12m square) so I don't really want to spend a lot of money. There's a junk shop near me that often has weird old garden tools, so I shall definitely check out whether he has a turf lifting iron going cheap.

The one we hired cost us £70 to hire from Friday to Monday, it was worth it as we had such a big area to do. Maybe a local hire shop would have something similar in and would negotiate a good rate for you?

[bazzaboy]

Seahorse, I'm going to suggest something that might not be any too popular on GYO but it is effective, I've done quite large areas using it. The reason you can't get the spade in is probably not the soil but the matted roots... so if there's a sunny day left this autumn kill the patch of grass you want to remove with Round-Up... it'll take a week or more to get to the roots (and turn a nice shade of bleached yellow). With the roots weakened/dead - and it probably will have rained by then anyway - you'll get the spade in quite easily. Cut a turf that you can handle weight wise (a square the breadth of the spade will suffice) and dig it out. (If you've ever been camping it's the same as cutting a turf for a camp fire.) Once you've got the first bit out (or start at the side of the patch if there is a "side") it's easier because you can then get the spade in under the roots. Then repeat for the next square - so three surface cuts and one parallel with the ground. If you've enough space to store the dead turf put it in a heap grass-side down and cover with black ploythene or carpet over the winter. If you leave it long enough you'll find you have a "rich loam store" (but don't leave it so long that weeds find a way through the carpet!)

Incidentally if you're worried about dandelions elsewhere in lawn, buy some "Feed and Weed" for lawns (only a small box... you can actually make it up yourself but I'm looking for the simple description here!) and do a daily patrol of the area you want to clear, remove any dandelion flowers and seed heads and put a pinch of Feed and Weed - and just a pinch - on the remaining leaves. You do have to do "Dandelion Patrol" regularly for a little while but you'll easily win out in the end. I don't think you need bother too much at this time of the year but come the Spring you'll be well armed!

bb

[Snadger]

Snadger - it's actually breaking the surface that's hardest, so digging it in wouldn't be any easier would it? (unless I'm missing a really obvious point - it's been known, lol!). I'm also a bit worried that all the dandelions and stuff in it would come back to haunt me!

Claire

Even after you take the turf off...........you've still got to dig the soil!

[Seahorse]

I think a lot of it is the roots and general entanglement, yes. I don't use chemicals but I think in this case Round Up (or similar) might be a good option if I continue to struggle. I guess a winter of rain/snow etc would pretty much dissipate it all before spring planting anyway? I can't see it being worth the cost and more so the hassle of hiring equipment (I don't drive).

I've stacked the turf I've cut so far but hadn't thought of covering it - I shall do that!

I don't mind the dandelions elsewhere though I have four small children, so I'm not likely to have an immaculate lawn for some years to come and they like to pick the dandelions, daisies and clover that grow in it.

Claire

[Snadger]

There is a knack to cutting turf or digging on compacted ground. Use a sharp spade and hold the blade 18 inches above the ground, chop down quickly and let the weight of the spade do the job! (like a guillotine, but watch your feet!) Don't try to push the spade through the thatch, chop it. Each turf should only need two cuts, to the right and to the back each time. Same with digging, chop right,chop back and only then put your foot on the spade and lever forward.

Even if you're fairly frail the weight of the spade and the chopping motion should make things a lot easier.

[Seahorse]

Lol... I'm not frail, just small! To hold the spade 18" off the ground I'll have to have my arms above my head. I'll try it though (with stout shoes on ) and see if I get on better!

Thanks again,

Claire

[Snadger]

Lol... I'm not frail, just small! To hold the spade 18" off the ground I'll have to have my arms above my head. I'll try it though (with stout shoes on ) and see if I get on better!

Thanks again,

Claire

Good luck Claire! Just hold the spade as high as is comfortable and let the spade edge do the work!

Just tried doing a dry run....... top hand starts at chin level and as you chop down you leave loose with the bottom hand, if that makes sense?