Recycling Sod

Question: I’m cutting in new garden beds and I’m making other garden beds larger. So, I’m going to end up with a lot of excess “sod.” Not the kind you’d buy, but hunks of grass and soil. I don’t really want to truck them to the dump. And, as it turns out, I have some storm damage in my yard that I need fill in. Specifically, there are several run-outs anywhere from 2 to 8 inches deep and a foot wide; there’s also a sinkhole (yes, it’s been a rough year.) Is using the tufts a good idea?

Answer: It’s definitely a good question and the answer is yes and no.

While I haven’t scientifically tested this—and there are a few variables like soil type, rain fall, etc.—my rule of thumb is that I’ll use tufts of sod as fill if I know I can get 4 to 6 inches of dirt over it. My experience is that this much dirt will pretty much suffocate the existing grass enabling it to be used as fill. Cover it with much less than 4 inches of dirt and you risk the grass doing what it does: growing.

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