Burning torn out grass

[brett05]

I tore out probably 400 sq ft of sod by hand. Any opinions on burning it in my fire pit and thrn shoveling the remains back to the area which will be my veggie garden?

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[Crystallas]

Never did it like that. Usually if I do a burn, I'll control burn the grass that is already in the ground.

Did you turn the soil underneath?


If someone with experience knows, I'd like to hear this as well.

 

[brett05]

Yes well of sorts. I used a garden weasel to rip it up. Going to be getting some peat moss to combine with the top soil.

I can't do the control burn as two of the four sides are cedar fenced and I feel uncomfortable taking the risk.

Hoping to get more feedback. Thx Crys

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[Ares]

No opinion on burning the grass, but I will say you best make sure you really tore up that area where you intend to make it a veggie garden.

We did that to a bunch of areas when I worked landscaping and the first couple times it turned out bad and we had to go back over it with the rototiller in order to rip up all the grass roots cause the shit kept coming back.

Lol after that we would take turns tilling an area for like an hour to really grind the **** out of it and make sure we got all the grass clumps and roots out.

 

[KittiesKorner]

You eat that shit? What are you, a cow?

 

[Ares]

You eat that shit? What are you, a cow?

racist....

 

[brett05]

We all eat worm poo

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[KittiesKorner]

and one day we will all be worm poo

 

[brett05]

Here's what I have found out.

1) Tearing out grass by hand even with a garden weasel is hard work. I'm blistered on both hands. Watering the grass for 30-60 min did make it easier, but I swear I have the deepest rooted grass ever. At least 5+ inches of roots.
2) The sand box has a ton of sand in it and sand weighs a lot more than you think. I was filling up the paper grass bags about 1/6 of the way thru and they have do be 50+ pounds.
3) Dead grass burns almost instantly. I built a small fire in my pit with the wood I tore out of the garden and once it burned I added some torn sod. The grass burnt lightning fast, but the roots with dirt took a lot longer to burn down and break down.
4) Talked it over with a friend of mine and he said the ash will add nutrients specifically nitrogen back into the soil and is a benefit.

So I did a small test, less than 1% of my sod waste. Will be doing more throughout the week. I suspect though at my current pace there will be at best a small garden in my usual spot as I cultivate the larger plot for next year.

 

[Sunbiz1]

Here's what I have found out.

1) Tearing out grass by hand even with a garden weasel is hard work. I'm blistered on both hands. Watering the grass for 30-60 min did make it easier, but I swear I have the deepest rooted grass ever. At least 5+ inches of roots.
2) The sand box has a ton of sand in it and sand weighs a lot more than you think. I was filling up the paper grass bags about 1/6 of the way thru and they have do be 50+ pounds.
3) Dead grass burns almost instantly. I built a small fire in my pit with the wood I tore out of the garden and once it burned I added some torn sod. The grass burnt lightning fast, but the roots with dirt took a lot longer to burn down and break down.
4) Talked it over with a friend of mine and he said the ash will add nutrients specifically nitrogen back into the soil and is a benefit.

So I did a small test, less than 1% of my sod waste. Will be doing more throughout the week. I suspect though at my current pace there will be at best a small garden in my usual spot as I cultivate the larger plot for next year.

With our clay based native soil, compost would serve you well.

And if you're neighbors are not too close, an outdoor compost bin can be done at almost no cost.

 

[brett05]

I am thinking compost area in the back corner. It'd be about 75 feet from the neighbor's deck but next to their garden

Getting a soil kit as suggested to get better production

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[Gustavus Adolphus]

Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't you rent a sod cutter?

 

[brett05]

Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't you rent a sod cutter?

In hind site I should have borrowed a roto tiler

The area was a playground with the weed fabric.

Don't forget I'm cheap

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[Gustavus Adolphus]

I had the weed fabric. Waste of time and money.

 

[brett05]

I had the weed fabric. Waste of time and money.

It was good for me if I used it each year. I have a few square blocks of empty weed infested grass behind my property so those dandelions would spread fast into the garden without it I would think. So I used the fabric for the 8x13 plot I have used in the past. Plant my things, then cover with grass clippings. then the next year, tear it all out and repeat. Thankfully it never set me back more than $10. But you are right it's nasty stuff especially it is buried under a few inches of soil.

One nice thing I have going for me is I have a minimum of 12" of quality top soil. I've yet to find sand or clay when I dig, though I nearly broke my sump pump line when removing the sod. Thankfully it did not break.

 

[malcore]

I would never build a veggie garden this way. Burning the sod is fine, if it is legal in your city. The burnt remains may be okay for legume gardens, peas, etc. The better way to good soil base for a veggie garden is to burn out the lawn area (not with fire) with layers of composted material, allowing the topsoil and sod to decompose and add better nutrients to the soil. Even cardboard on the bottom, with compost on top will work.

See here: http://www.nwedible.com/2012/02/stop-ripping-up-your-lawn-to-grow-veggies.html


Also, if you must have an instant garden, try using one these things. Can be rented for about $10/day and is dead easy to use. No grunting or sweating at all. Tilling or weaseling will leave a lot of root matter and depending on time of year, seed:

 

[brett05]

I would never build a veggie garden this way. Burning the sod is fine, if it is legal in your city. The burnt remains may be okay for legume gardens, peas, etc. The better way to good soil base for a veggie garden is to burn out the lawn area with layers of composted material, allowing the topsoil and sod to decompose and add better nutrients to the soil. Even cardboard on the bottom, with compost on top will work.

See here: http://www.nwedible.com/2012/02/stop-ripping-up-your-lawn-to-grow-veggies.html


Also, if you must have an instant garden, try using one these things. Can be rented for about $10/day and is dead easy to use. No grunting or sweating at all. Tilling or weaseling will leave a lot of root matter and depending on time of year, seed:

I'm pretty happy with my base though I need to do testing of the soil.
That sod cutter looks like work. If you gotta use your foot to get it to work, that doesn't seem as easy as wet ground with the garden weasel.

 

[brett05]

I was also contemplating adding a couple dozen worms buried in the garden.

 

[malcore]

I'm pretty happy with my base though I need to do testing of the soil.
That sod cutter looks like work. If you gotta use your foot to get it to work, that doesn't seem as easy as wet ground with the garden weasel.

No, that sod cutter is surprisingly easy to use. Just tap it with your foot. V Much easier than a garden weasel and makes nice rolls that are easy to lift. We just cleared a 50ft by 20 ft area. Took me half an hour with the stripper. Only need to bend when picking up the rolls. Easier than a tiller and easier on the arms than a gas stripper. I kid you not. Amazing invention.

 

[brett05]

No, that sod cutter is surprisingly easy to use. Just tap it with your foot. V Much easier than a garden weasel and makes nice rolls that are easy to lift. We just cleared a 50ft by 20 ft area. Took me half an hour with the stripper. Only need to bend when picking up the rolls. Easier than a tiller and easier on the arms than a gas stripper. I kid you not. Amazing invention.

That is so awesome! Where did you get it?