Turf professionals say that when the turf is 60 p.c weeds or further, it is perhaps time to clear the realm for modern seeding. If this describes your backyard, you may consider using a handbook sod cutter, usually generally known as a turf cutter or “sod kicker” to clear your backyard. This instrument may also be useful when placing in new sod or transitioning your yard to new landscaping, a yard, placing in a yard operate, or a model new type of grass planting.
A handbook sod cutter can clear about 500 sq. ft in various hours with out an extreme quantity of exertion. It is noise-free and does not require gasoline, engine repairs, or winterization. Be taught on for our info on straightforward strategies to make use of a sod-cutting kicker.
Meet the Expert
Wayne Thompson is the president of Quail Manufacturing in Princeton, Minnesota, a maker of sod-cutting devices.
What Is a Handbook Sod Cutter?
A sod kicker is a muscle-powered handbook instrument, very like an old-style farm instrument, like a sod plow. A kick sod cutter has two prolonged handles anchored with a crossbar. It incorporates a roller and an adjustable flat blade at ground stage. Use the cutter by kicking the crossbar to maneuver it alongside as you chop. Modify your sod cutter blade to remove in any case 3/4 inch of topsoil along with the grass. It removes prolonged, slender sod strips you’ll roll up and take away.
What Is Sod?
Sod or turf is the upper layer of soil with grass rising on it. It could be pulled up like a carpet. It is normally farmed, harvested into rolls, purchased, and laid out on a unadorned spot to replenish a unadorned backyard.
Primarily based on Wayne Thompson, president of Quail Manufacturing, the sod kicker instrument works for a lot of people. “You don’t have to bend over to utilize it. It relies upon further on larger thigh muscle tissues than once more energy. It doesn’t require quite a bit larger physique energy the least bit.” Totally different clearing strategies embody weed killers, smothering, rototilling, and gas-powered sod cutters.
When to Use a Handbook Sod Cutter
You can pull up sod any time of yr. It is best carried out early, midfall, or spring for individuals who plan to replant it. Let the sod dry out for a day or two if it has rained currently. It’s troublesome and heavier to maneuver soggy sod. You might also pull up and lay sod in winter.
Sooner than Getting Started
- One to 2 days sooner than you make the most of the sod kicker, water the realm completely for easier slicing.
- Mark off the realm with marking flags or grass-safe spray chalk the place you intend to remove the sod. It’s easier to remove sod than to find out new sod, so do not take away any sections of the backyard you wish to keep.
- Take away all seen rocks, branches, fallen leaves, and particles.
- The cutter’s tempered metallic blade requires periodic sharpening. A uninteresting cutter blade might trigger premature placed on and concern using the instrument.
- Plot out the pattern for a manner you may take away the sod. Plan to remove sod in prolonged, straight traces.
Warning
Sooner than slicing sod, study the producer’s instructions to be sure you use the instrument appropriately. On a regular basis placed on eye security whereas working this instrument since it’s going to in all probability kick up rocks and gravel that set off hurt. Placed on close-toed footwear. Protect children and pets away from the working area.