One of the most important projects in low-water landscaping is lawn removal.
Lawns guzzle billions of gallons of water each day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies suggest that replacing a lawn with native plants and drip irrigation can save as many as 57 gallons of water per square foot, annually. For a modest 1,500 square feet, that adds up to 85,000 gallons of water; For a quarter-acre property, nearly six million gallons. Whether you have a lush green lawn, or a tan suffering one, now is a good time to reconsider how you’re using water in your yard.
If you’re ready to fully commit to a lawn-free outdoor space, great! But replacing just half your lawn with native landscaping will result in big water savings. Every little bit helps.
There is more to lawn removal than simply ripping out the grass. There are a number of methods to make sure that you leave behind healthy soil, and that pesky turf grass and weeds won’t creep back into your garden. So before you make a trip to the nursery, make sure you have a solid plan and timeline.
Here’s where to start.
The “rip it out” method
This method is the fastest, and allows for same-day planting, but getting rid of roots may be a challenge. One option is to rent a sod-cutter, a tool designed to remove both the grass and its roots. Home Depot and Lowes both loan out these tools at a rate of $95 for four hours or $128 for a day. A free, but more time consuming and labor-intensive method, involves using a square-head shovel to break up the surface of the ground, also known as the sod. (Check out this how-to video for instructions.)
Another option is to use a rototiller, a motorized machine with rotating blades for turning and aerating the soil. However, there are a few potential drawbacks to this method: First, you run the risk of incorporating unwanted seeds and roots from weeds and grass, which can later invade your garden. And rototilling can also damage the earthworms and microbes that are essential for good soil health, and cause the soil itself to degrade.
No-till solarization and smothering
No-till is an approach to gardening that leaves the soil intact to preserve its health. One no-till method, solarization, involves using clear plastic to cover the lawn. The plastic traps heat and moisture, killing plants and weed seeds as well as pathogens and insect pests. The downside: it also destroys beneficial soil life.
Smothering is a similar no-till method, in which black plastic is used to block light, killing the plants. Black plastic does not generate as much heat as clear plastic and is not as effective at thwarting weed seeds. Both processes require at least two months. While solarization and smothering can be done in any season, our hot and sunny summers accelerate the process.
Sheet mulching
Sheet mulching involves covering the lawn with layers of organic material: quality mulch, compost, and overlapping cardboard. This no-till method is very effective at killing grass and weeds and helps build healthy soil. The downside: it is the slowest method, taking between six to eight months. The best time to start your sheet mulch project is in the fall, so that the natural moisture of the rainy season can speed up the decomposition.
Maintenance
Whichever method you choose, weeds and turf will attempt a comeback and you’ll still need to be diligent with maintenance. Fortunately, some plants are good at outcompeting these invaders. Creeping phlox, a low-maintenance flowering groundcover, is one solid replacement — and has the side effect of attracting pollinators. Sedum, a bright-green, densely growing succulent, is another. Check out the City of Ashland’s website for more ideas.