Getting Rid of Your Turf

Photo by Debbie Roland

By Debbie Roland, Master Gardener

If you've been considering switching to a xeriscape landscape in your yard, this is a good time of year to do that.  Many people are mentioning this due to rising water costs and the need for everyone to conserve water.  Traditional lawns are pretty, there is no doubt about that, but the drain on our natural resources is enormous.  The following are methods used to remove turf and begin your xeriscape journey.

·        Manual sod removal.  This method is best for small areas since it involves a lot of manual labor.  Use a flat shovel or rented sod cutter to slice under the grass and roll it up.  This method is labor-intensive but produces quick results.

·        Solarization.  This method is suitable for large areas.  Cover the grass with a clear plastic sheeting during the hot months.  The heat traps and kills weeds and grass.  Our climate is great for this method, but it involves patience.  It can take up to eight weeks and doesn’t look very good during that time.  However, it is non-chemical and effective.

·        Sheet Mulching (Lasagna Method).  This is the method we have used at our house to get rid of all turf.  We (my husband) use a gas-powered weed eater to take everything (grass, weeds, etc.) down to the dirt.  We (I do help with this) then layer cardboard on the bare dirt.  The more layers you put down, the better it works to keep grass and weeds out.  Finally, add 4 to 6” of mulch and rake it smooth.  You can use free mulch from the city or buy it in large bags at big box stores.  They will also sell you a whole pallet and load it into your pickup with a forklift if you need that much.  This method improves soil, is low-cost, and avoids heavy labor.  Another great benefit of this method is that when the West Texas wind blows in weeds or grass, they are very easy to pull up.

·        Herbicide.  This is my least favorite method.  Personally, I don’t like chemicals in my yard.  I grow some of our food, and I prefer it to be chemical-free.  However, if you choose this method, here is how it works.  Apply a non-selective herbicide (like glyphosate) to kill grass and roots.  This works on stubborn plants like grasses.  There is minimal digging, and it effectively controls invasive turf, but it requires careful application and is not environmentally friendly.  Using too much or using incorrectly can cause overspray into neighbors’ yards, or rain can cause it to run off into public streets.  The West Texas Vegetable Gardeners Facebook page recommends a friendlier product. 

There are materials other than mulch that can be used.  Gravel or rock is popular, but it is difficult to remove later if you decide to make a change.  Mulch is organic and will eventually break down on its own.  It is necessary to add mulch to maintain the xeric look over the years, as it does break down.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information and access to past articles in our blog are available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources.”