How to Remove a Grass Lawn?

There are four primary methods for removing a grass lawn: using herbicide, physically digging it up, solarizing it, and smothering it. The best approach depends on your lawn's characteristics, your geographic location, and the speed at which you want the lawn gone.

1. Herbicide Application

This method involves killing the grass with a herbicide, typically glyphosate (Roundup).

• Pros: Quickest method.
• Cons: Uses chemicals, which may be undesirable for some. Requires careful application to avoid damaging surrounding plants. Can leave behind dead thatch that needs to be removed or worked into the soil.
• How-to:
  1. Follow the herbicide manufacturer's instructions precisely.
  2. Apply the herbicide on a calm day to prevent drift.
  3. Wait the recommended time period (usually 1-2 weeks) for the grass to die completely.
  4. Remove the dead grass or till it into the soil.

2. Digging It Up

This involves manually removing the grass and its roots with a shovel or sod cutter.

• Pros: Immediate removal of the lawn. Avoids the use of chemicals.
• Cons: Labor-intensive, especially for large lawns. Can be physically demanding. Creates a significant amount of waste material (sod).
• How-to:
  1. Moisten the lawn to make digging easier.
  2. Use a shovel or sod cutter to cut the lawn into manageable sections.
  3. Lift and remove the sod.
  4. Dispose of the sod properly (composting, landfill, or repurposing).

3. Solarization

This method uses the sun's heat to kill the grass.

• Pros: Environmentally friendly, no chemicals involved. Kills weed seeds and soil pathogens as well.
• Cons: Slowest method. Requires several weeks or months of hot, sunny weather. Not effective in shady areas.
• How-to:
  1. Mow the lawn as short as possible.
  2. Water the area thoroughly.
  3. Cover the lawn with clear plastic sheeting (at least 1-4 mil thick).
  4. Secure the edges of the plastic with soil, rocks, or other heavy objects.
  5. Leave the plastic in place for 6-8 weeks during the hottest part of the year.
  6. Remove the plastic and prepare the soil for planting.

4. Smothering

This method deprives the grass of light, eventually killing it.

• Pros: Environmentally friendly, no chemicals involved. Can improve soil structure.
• Cons: Takes several months. Requires a significant amount of smothering material.
• How-to:
  1. Mow the lawn as short as possible.
  2. Water the area thoroughly.
  3. Cover the lawn with a layer of cardboard or newspaper (overlapping the edges).
  4. Cover the cardboard or newspaper with a thick layer of organic matter such as compost, wood chips, or leaves (at least 4-6 inches thick).
  5. Water the area well.
  6. Wait several months for the grass to die completely.
  7. Remove any remaining cardboard or newspaper and prepare the soil for planting.

Each of these lawn removal methods presents different advantages and disadvantages, so selecting the right one depends on your priorities, available resources, and environmental concerns. Choose the option that best suits your needs.