So, you’ve decided to convert some (or all) of your lawn space to a native plant oasis — AMAZING! But, before you dash out to buy plants or hire the NBN crew to plant your gorgeous new native garden, the turf's gotta go.
Why Ditch Turfgrass?
Turfgrass is a classic choice for lawns, but it comes with drawbacks:
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High Maintenance: Needs regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
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Low Biodiversity: Supports few pollinators or wildlife.
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Poor Soil Health: Shallow roots lead to compaction and low soil quality.
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Environmental Impact: Lawns can contribute to runoff, erosion, and urban heat.
Swapping turf for native plantings is a powerful way to create a thriving, sustainable landscape that requires less upkeep.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, and your approach will depend on a few factors. Here’s how we like to think about it:
- Keep the lawn where you actually need the lawn, but lose it wherever possible. Have kiddos that need room to play? Or does your dog have a dedicated zoomies track? Keep areas of turf you need for play or gathering, but consider taking out as much as possible.
- If you do keep some, let it go wild. No pesticides, no herbicides, no fertilizers —just let the clover, violets, and wild strawberries do their thing. Those so-called "weeds" are actually pollinator powerhouses, and lots of insects + earthworms live in the soil under turf grass that make a tasty snack for birds.
- Where you can, swap turf for layered diverse plantings. The bigger the planting bed, the better —it’s easier to maintain, makes a bigger visual impact, and gives you more opportunities for exploration and observation.
Methods for Removing Turfgrass
There are a few different ways to remove turfgrass that vary in effort, cost, and time. We recommend selecting what works best for you. Here’s a breakdown:
Dig and flip: For small areas, sometimes the best method is to simply dig it out by hand using a sharp shovel and some muscle. To do so, dig down about 4-5 inches (below your grass’s root system) and flip it so that the soil is on top. Turfgrass can resprout from the small white rhizomatous roots that are left near the surface, so don’t go shallow on this allowing your grass to re-establish. Flip the turf and soil so that the grassy side is face-down and tuck in and overlap any edges where you can see grass exposed. Tamp it all down by walking over the area, allow the soil to dry and lightly rake to fill any gaps and to smooth out the area. The grassy turf will compost in place to act as a mulch and give a boost to your new plants. Depending on the size of your bed, you may want to split this work up over several days, and give it a couple weeks before planting to allow all to settle in.
Dig and pitch/compost: You can also dig out your turf and discard of the extra material (aka the green, leafy parts and white roots). Still dig down about 4-5 inches like with the dig and flip, but instead of keeping the grass clumps intact you can shake out all the excess soil. The key here is to leave as much soil in the garden —this not only preserves your soil but also makes the grass debris much, much lighter to handle. To reduce as much yard waste going to the curb as possible, consider adding the dug out grass to a compost pile or tucked in a shady (out of sight) corner of the garden.
Sheet mulching: This DIY method is the least labor intensive, but does take some patience for the grass to die off. Start by mowing your turfgrass as short as your mower will allow, then place overlapping layers of cardboard onto the turf area you want to kill. Cover with a 3” layer of hardwood mulch, leave this covering over the grass for at least 3 months during the active growing season. The cardboard and mulch combo smother the grass, killing it and leaving bare soil behind. This is a good project to start in the spring to allow for smothering over the summer, and planting your native garden in the fall.
Rent a sod cutter or tiller: For medium sized projects, you may want to remove the turf using a sod cutter or tiller. These kinds of machines can be heavy and bulky, so renting a ramp or vehicle with a ramp is recommended for loading and unloading. Once you’re ready to roll, begin at one end of the garden area and work your way across bit by bit. As with shoveling, make sure your sod cutter reaches deep enough into the soil to remove all of the turf roots —this is usually around 4”. These machines can vary in performance and power, so, use them slowly and with caution when getting started. Wear gloves, sturdy footwear (steel toe boots if you have 'em) and protective eyewear. Once you're done, till and rake (as needed) the newly exposed soil to collect any root debris, break up any large clumps and smooth out the planting surface. Get your hands on a wheelbarrow to help with disposing of the sod (all that excess soil can get quite heavy).
Herbicide: Generally, we do not recommend that homeowners DIY herbicide applications. If the area is large and other options are not feasible, you can hire a certified professional to evaluate and apply chemicals to kill the grass. At least one application every two weeks for one month during the active growing season is needed depending on site conditions of your home landscape. Three applications over an entire season may be needed if it is a naturalized area or overgrown and extra weedy.
Hire it out: If DIY isn’t your thing, no problem! Hire a reputable landscaping company to remove your turf using the instructions highlighted in this post. Just make sure the area is free of turfgrass roots, smoothed out and ready for planting. This may require a combination of sod cutting, tilling and raking to get your space ready to go.
Maintaining Your Native Garden
Even after the turf is removed and your native garden is planted, it’s normal for grass to try to return. While your garden is establishing, check on it regularly and remove any unwelcome patches with a hand shovel or soil knife.
The First Year:
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Water consistently to help plants establish.
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Weed regularly to prevent turfgrass from coming back.
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Stay attentive — a little effort now means long-term success!
Ready to Transform Your Space?
If you're looking to establish a thriving native garden, we’re here to help!
Consultation Services
Our team of experts will come to your space, assess its unique characteristics, and help you unlock its full potential. We’ll work with you to:
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Develop a long-term plan that fits your vision.
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Identify key elements like sunlight, soil, and moisture conditions.
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Recommend native plants that will thrive in your specific environment.
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Integrate thoughtful design elements to balance functional areas (like a cozy reading spot) with vibrant native blooms and peaceful, rustling grasses.
Whether you’re aiming for a lush pollinator haven, a serene sensory garden, or just a bit more color and texture, we’ve got you covered!
Planting Services: Let Us Do the Dirty Work!
Need plants? We’ll help you get beautiful, hardy natives in the ground, without the hassle!
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Our professional planting services make it easy to get started.
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Choose to work alongside our team or let us handle everything from start to finish.
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We plant by the square foot, ensuring a full and balanced garden.
Find out about our planting services and browse our selection of native plants here: Explore more!
Let’s Grow Together!
Ready to make your garden vision a reality? Reach out to us at letsgrow@northbranchnatives.com to set up a consultation or learn more about our planting services. We’re excited to help you create a vibrant, resilient garden!