I need a tip. A patch of our front yard was full of weeds. DH sprayed it and I am trying to take off the first two inches or so from the patch so we can lay sod. I am using a shovel to break up the dead weeds, roots, dirt, etc then shoveling down and/or yard raking the top. It is breaking my BACK! There must be an easier way to do this! There are tons or small roots cobwebbing through the door, so raking it is near impossible.
Should I rent a roto-tiller? Help! I am half way through and want to finish tomorrow.
Thanks!

By Annie2 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 02:16 pm:

That should read dirt, not door LOL

By Coopaveryben on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 02:18 pm:

I always use a pick ax for things like this.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 06:35 pm:

You can get a small item called a garden weasel. It's like a roto-tiller, only it's not powered. It has sharp wheels that spin and cut the thatch and pull it up. Once it's cut, you can rake it.
Ame

By Annie2 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 11:00 pm:

Thanks. I ended up finishing it with my two shovels and rake. What a pain in the a$$ it was to do. Then I had to bag all of the dirt.
I am going to be sooooo sore tomorrow. It was a workout!

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 06:08 am:

Our grass is zoysia, so I have the same problem with tough roots all through the soil. I wound up using a linoleum knife to cut through the roots in small sections. For large sections my mom (bless her heart) bought a rototiller, which works just fine - except the roots tangle around the cutting wheels and I have to stop and remove the tangle every so often.

By Annie2 on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 02:10 pm:

I had to do some more today. I am doing a section which is so root bound. I am now taking a break.
I am using a hoe today. I am jabbing at it, which is breaking the roots and then dragging the hoe slightly towards me. It is going much faster and I am almost finished.
My fingers are sore and my lower back is killing me! Oh well, no pain, no gain!