So you've dug up your lawn, what about the sod?

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On day 5 of sod removal, we took a long look at our growing pile of sod and realized we had a problem.

It was big.

It was heavy.

The City of Toronto would not take it away for us. (The City's yard waste collection program does not accept sod).

Sod pile
This is an earlier sod pile... it grew.


We decided to try composting the sod over the summer which will (hopefully) produce some really nice soil that we can use in the garden next year. The soil in our garden has a lot of clay, so the organic matter from the grass should improve the soil quality. We used cinder blocks and wood planks we already had to create a sod "corral".

Sod corral
Sod corral.


We've also planted squash in the compost pile. Growing up in Saskatchewan, one of our neighbours grew enormous pumpkins for Hallowe'en every year in his compost pile. The vines cover up the pile and the roots help to break down the compost.

 By the end of June, after losing some of their cohort to squirrels and other urban wildlife, the squash are established and growing quickly.

Squash in compost and sod pile
July 1 - squash in compost pile.


As they say, when life gives you immense piles of sod, grow squash.

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