Planting in newly turned sod?

TZ-OH6 · May 26, 2009

Well, the deed is done, but I thought I'd ask to see what to expect. Last minute garden area/expansion. I killed the grass with Roundup weeks ago and just turned the sod over, some was hilled up for mellons and squash, and some left flat for corn. So far I've put in small pre-started mellons, cucumbers, okra, and squash plus planted sweet corn. (if the transplanted seedlings die it is early enough to direct seed).

I am wondering if the decaying sod is going to affect growth by robbing nitrogen, or from physical barriers/air pockets (I did a pretty rough job due to tree roots), or if things are going to be more or less OK.

swimgymmom · May 26, 2009

Last year we expanded our garden by about 1 acre. We never killed the grass and just plowed. After a week we disked the ground and started from there. The ground was a little rough and had all the sod in it. We planted cukes, mellons, beans, corn and zucchini in those areas and had no problems. The only problem we had was having the grass keep growing back but everything else did really well. I think you'll be fine.

May 26, 2009	#1
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	Planting in newly turned sod? Well, the deed is done, but I thought I'd ask to see what to expect. Last minute garden area/expansion. I killed the grass with Roundup weeks ago and just turned the sod over, some was hilled up for mellons and squash, and some left flat for corn. So far I've put in small pre-started mellons, cucumbers, okra, and squash plus planted sweet corn. (if the transplanted seedlings die it is early enough to direct seed). I am wondering if the decaying sod is going to affect growth by robbing nitrogen, or from physical barriers/air pockets (I did a pretty rough job due to tree roots), or if things are going to be more or less OK.

May 26, 2009	#2
swimgymmom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 19	Last year we expanded our garden by about 1 acre. We never killed the grass and just plowed. After a week we disked the ground and started from there. The ground was a little rough and had all the sod in it. We planted cukes, mellons, beans, corn and zucchini in those areas and had no problems. The only problem we had was having the grass keep growing back but everything else did really well. I think you'll be fine.