what's the best way to pull up part of my lawn to start a garden?

Question

I'm using a shoxel now, but it's taking forever and killing my back!!

Answer 1

Have someone come in with a tractor and remove the sod for you. They will plow it (disc it) and then it'll be much easier for you to till.

Answer 2

It depends how soon you want to start your garden. If you want to start right away, a flat shovel and some more back pain. A rototiller is a good investment but requires some more back pain raking out the roots and grass. The pain free way, is long but works well by covering the area of grass you want to remove with 3mil black visquine (plastic tarp) for a month or so. Then grind the remains in the soil with a rototiller. Another method would be to rent a Bobcat and scrape off the grass with the roots.
Or you can try spraying the area with roundup and waiting about 4 weeks then till the ground. If you have a well mannered horse or ox you can plow the ground the ol' fashioned way.

Answer 3

I would first take off the grass with the shovel. Remove all the grass from you garden area. Then rototiller the rest to break up your dirt. Oh what fun!

Answer 4

Rototiller

Answer 5

I'd suggest renting a roto-tiller. Much, much faster then doing it by hand. If you do it few times over several days, then this will usually also kill any weeds in the area by exposing their roots.

Answer 6

IDE THROW THE SHOXEL OUT AND GET A SHOVEL. it is backbreaking work but itll be worth it

Answer 7

a heavy duty garden rake...gardening comes with a little backache

Answer 8

flat spade better than shovel