Dense sod can compete with new plantings. In moist climates cutting away sod for new plantings can lead to planting in low spots that collect moisture around new root crowns. A thoughtful method for creating planting sites in sod is useful.
[feel free to add your technique to the list]
Sod Pit Planting[edit | edit source]
Here is an approach that involves four steps
- Scalp sod in a circle using a sharp Japanese hoe (30 seconds).
- Loosen the circle of soil with the same hoe. (30 seconds).
- Adjacent to the circle scalp a strip and dig a pit (creating a keyhole of bare soil) piling the soil from the pit into the center of the planting circle. (30 seconds).
- Stuff the sod in the pit with organic wastes or urine. (15 seconds + urination time).
-
Scalp sod in circle
-
Loosen circle into heap
-
Dig pit and use soil to build mound
-
Sod goes in pit, planting complete, soil shaped to receive water and direct surplus to organic pit.
The result is an easy to plant mound of sod free soil raised above the surrounding terrain adjacent to a pit of organic material. Water running off the mound will soak in at the soil/pasture seam, with surplus going into your sod pit. You can mulch with pasture cuttings, but your investment of a couple minutes of work has bought you a year of two of competition free establishment at a favorable elevation to the surrounding terrain while avoiding movement of materials, and chunks of sod laying around to interfere with future meadow harvest.
- -Paul Cereghino 15:07, 7 July 2007 (EDT)
