Tool

what is a good "manual" tool to remove grass from the soil so i can install mulch bed?

is a trench shovel a good way to go?...just want to make sure i get the correct tool to completely separate the grass and it's roots from the soil.

Public Comments

1. Rent a sodkicker...$13 a day! By the way we didn't use the gas one, we used the old fashioned kind that ACTUALLY takes work.
2. flat bladed fork. Stomp it in, pry grass, move on, then hand pull the loosened grass and roots when the area is loosened. Aha! it's called a "spading fork" http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=90630-302-1812200&lpage=none
3. I've been considering making a rock garden, so I'd need to do the same thing with my "crab grass farm". The sod remover is the best thing if using a machine is ok with you. I've done small areas with a combination of spading fork & flat shovel. I have a new mattock I'm looking forward to using also. It's pretty slow work, I'll tell you that! Perhaps you should have the phone number & hours for the equipment rental place if you decide to try hand tools--you may change your mind once you get started! All that grass will be great compost. Good for you that you know that just tilling up the yard will spread nasty roots & not be effective in the long run.