This shows a process for removing turf/sod without using a powered sod cutting machine. It's not so much the cost of renting a machine but rather the fact that I don't have a truck or a trailer hitch for transporting it. This process streamlines the job of pulling up existing turf and produces nice neat rolls of sod that you can pass on to someone else to use. Saves you the trouble and expense of having to dispose of it yourself.
I'll offer some additional guidance largely based on viewer feedback:
- The real efficiency of this process comes from applying leverage to an axle around which the sod rolls form. This peels the sod off the ground non-destructively preserving the option of reusing it elsewhere. It's less important how one makes the longitudinal cuts in the turf to define the strips. There are many ways to cut straight lines in turf. The circular saw with a multi-purpose diamond blade (blade ~$20) was the only power tool option I had at hand. However, several viewers have used their powered edger successfully (I don't own one). You can also make those cuts with a hand tool like an edging spade or even a hatchet/axe would work. Just choose whatever tool/method makes a clean cut with the least work or expense for you.
- It's best to do this when the soil is neither too wet, nor too dry. I did mine during a dry spell and I stopped irrigation to the area for about 4 days prior to attempting removal.
