Remove grass layer with bucket for planting bed

[mapper]

Fertile soil is not always wanted for herb gardens.

Go figure,,,, ;-)

I grow basil, Thai basil, tarragon, sage, oregano and mint. Oregano and mint spread every where and really go to town in fertile soil. The others thrive with regular watering and feeding, their aromas are very intense and when dried are very potent.
Which herbs prefer less fertile conditions?
I think oregano will grow anywhere, I have patches of it in my lawn that get bigger every year, smells like pizza when you mow:licking:

 

[Egon]

If you really want to remove the sod with your bucket?? Start out at a depth just below the main root mass. Keep the cut level and smooth and do spend time doing so. If you let it get rough it becomes much more difficult.
Stockpile the sod and cover with a black tarp. It will turn into nice soil to put back.

Alternative: As you have a rotatiller till your strips four inches deep and three times as wide as needed. Remove and stockpile the loose dirt. It'll come come out real easy to the tilled depth. Cover it with a tarp and wait till it's decomposed. Then spread it down the middle of your tilled strip. Give you a raised bed of nice material with sides that can be tilled to keep unwanted growth away.
Tarp covered in hot sun may kill any plant seeds in the dirt.

 

[thatguy]

I have done it a few times with my tractor and FEL w/ tooth bar.. i used to get down on my hands and knees using a landscape shovel to 'dig' under the sod to remove it.. But if the conditions are right, (not too wet, not too dry)

here is a pic of me putting in one of our flower bed.. The toothbar is a necessity for this it seems though and as mentioned the bucket fill up quickly

Brian

 

[LD1]

You have a tiller.

If you really insist on removing the sod, till first to whatever depth you want removed.

The remove all the loose sod you just fluffed.

It will be easy to know when you get too aggressive and get into virgin ground underneath. It will be alot harder to dig.

I've put in several driveways like this. Til to the depth you want, and scoop nice loose dirt. Whole lot faster, easier, and easier on the machine than trying to dig virgin sod and ground. And a whole lot more precise at controlling depth