Cutting Sod to Expand My Pergola Garden

September 14, 2017

Cutting Sod to Expand My Pergola Garden

The gardens at my Bedford, New York farm are constantly evolving.

This summer, I decided to make some changes to the beds underneath my winding clematis pergola. I wanted to create a long row of boxwood on both sides to add more bold, green color and texture to the space. This is a big multi-stage project - one that requires several days to complete. Earlier this week, my outdoor grounds crew began the process of removing the sod from the new planting area.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: Gardener’s twine and small stakes are used to mark the new edge of this bed. The twine also serves as a guide for the motorized sod cutter.

: We rented a Jr. Ryan sod cutter for the day. The Ryan Company has been designing and selling turf care equipment for more than 60-years. Their sod cutter was actually created after the business partnered with a commercial landscaper named Art Ryan.

: Chhiring uses a spade to cut the corner section – the starting point for the sod cutter.

: Using the twine as his guide, Chhiring pushes the spade a couple inches into the ground.

: And manually removes this small section of sod.

: There are different types of sod cutters, but they all essentially cut grass at the roots so entire sections of sod can be removed to expose the bare ground underneath it.

: This sod cutter weighs about 380-pounds. It cuts 12-inch widths of sod and can cut more than 100-feet per minute.

: 75-percent of the cutter’s weight rests on the cast iron drive wheel covered with a knob tread for traction and stability. Here, the blade is raised until the machine is positioned at its proper starting point.

: Chhiring pushes the cutter forward a few feet, and then checks to see how deep the cut is, and whether or not it needs any adjustment. The pneumatic swiveling rear wheel makes it easy to maneuver.

: Ryan sod cutters are self-propelled; however, Chhiring pushes it carefully and slowly to make sure it is following the twine.

: Here is a closer look at the machine as it is cutting the sod – you can see the blade is now lowered about two-inches into the soil. Another set of hands helps to guide the sod cutter from the front end.

: Pete follows by rolling up the strips behind Chhiring. Doing this makes it easier to see where the sod has already been cut.

: Pete cuts each section of sod as he goes.

: And then loads it onto the bucket of the tractor.

: Here are several neat and tidy rolls of sod ready to be loaded and taken to another location.

: I never like to waste anything around the farm. I always try to repurpose and reuse as much as possible. I decided these older sections of sod would be best replanted down in the chicken yard. I never treat any of my lawns with chemicals and chickens who can roam free range on grass are healthier and produce better eggs.

: Dawa unloads all the rolls in the separated yard on the far side of the chicken coops.

: Phurba begins laying down the turf in rows. When laying down sod, it is important to align the edges of the sod together tightly but without creating overlap. They should fit snugly against each other with no air pockets or bare soil showing along the seams.

: Once the sod is put down, Phurba tamps down on the turf to ensure there is a good connection between the grass and the underlying soil.

: Phurba works with the whole pieces first, laying them one at a time, end to end, and then uses smaller pieces to fill in any gaps.

: A tight connection between sod and soil is the secret to roots knitting quickly into ground. The chickens will be kept out of this yard for a few days while the sod gets established.