Reasons to Remove a Lawn
If your lawn is out of control and weeds or bare spots account for more than half of it, you may want to get rid of it all and start over. Or, if you’ve decided that a turfgrass lawn takes too much work, water or expense and want to try a lawn alternative, you’ll need to get rid of the grass before you begin your new landscape.
Applying a herbicide to your lawn is a relatively quick method of killing it. It will take seven to ten days for the grass to die. After you kill the grass, you could install new sod directly on top of the old, but this method is not recommended due to the fact that the new sod should have good contact with the soil in order to take root. Removal or raking up of old sod after treatment is recommended, and much easier than digging up a live lawn.
Removing Your Lawn
Soil Test: If you choose to remove the dead lawn, it is a good time to perform a soil test. It gives you a picture of the condition of your soil and how you can improve it. Adding the amendments your soil needs to support future plantings plays a critical role in successful landscaping. You can purchase an at-home test at most home improvement stores, or have one professionally done for around $10 (plus postage) at the University of Florida Soil Testing Lab.
Fix grading problems: This is the perfect opportunity to raise low spots, take down high spots and address any drainage issues in your yard.
Deal with pests: Removing grass can expose pest problems you didn’t know you had. Check the soil for insect larvae and deal with any you find before you reseed or plant.
Root out new weeds: An open bed of soil with no turf to protect it is a good opportunity for weed growth, and you may notice some weeds have popped up while you were waiting for the lawn removal process to complete. Remove any new weeds before you move on.
Irrigation: If you have an underground irrigation system, this is a good time to check all the heads, change/clean filters, and make sure it is in good working condition. If you plan to add new planting beds to your landscape, consider converting some of your sprinkler heads to a drip system.