http://www.durgan.org/URL/?FVHED 9 May 2012 Removing Sod
Often in a home garden it is necessary to remove sod for a garden bed and planting trees. It can be a tedious task. My method is to use a kick sod cutter which was purchased about 7 years ago, and put to good use. They can be rented, but when needed this can be inconvenient.
Operation is simple. The soil should be damp, better just after a very heavy rain.Wear heavy work boots. Under ideal conditions a kick will propel the cutter eight inches or more depending upon the wetness of the soil. In my case the sod is placed out to dry slightly and put through the chipper/shredder, and placed back on the area selected. The chipper/shredder completely kills all grass roots.