Knowledgebase

Can turf grass be transplanted? #780594

Asked January 21, 2022, 4:17 PM EST

Dear U of M Extension, I have volunteered to serve as "Director of Grounds Maintenance" for the HOA board for the townhome development where I live. Here is a Street View of the location: https://goo.gl/maps/rgdKm5sKM4cdu4mt8 We have two interrelated lawn care needs and I am curious if it might be feasible to use one to solve the other. At the center of our property is a grass courtyard with a mature hackberry tree in the middle. The grass here has become patchy and lumpy. Meanwhile, as you can see in the Street View link, our sidewalks are bordered by narrow strips of grass that are an inconvenience to mow, but don't really serve any functional purpose. We are interested in removing the grass from these narrow strips and converting it to pollinator friendly clover and/or wildflowers. Here is my question for you: might it be feasible to dig up the grass from the boulevards and narrow strips at the back of the sidewalks in such a way as to allow us to transplant it to our courtyard area? If so, what advice would you have to allow the result in the courtyard to end up reasonably even and level and survive the transplanting process? Thank you! Brian

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

You can certainly move the sod. I suggest you either rent a Sod Kicker or motorized sod cutter to lift the sod from the boulevard. Do it this spring when the turf has greened up and is actively growing. 

Next you should do a soil test on the boulevard soil ( Lawn & Garden | Soil Testing Laboratory (umn.edu) )  and amend the boulevard soil per the recommendations of the report. Then you should be ready to plant your natives.

Because you are on the street the plants are exposed to road salt and salt drift so you need to pick from a palette of salt tolerant plants.  Here is reference:Salt-Tolerant Native Plants - Grow Native! and Smart Garden 2020: Good Boulevard plants & Growing Tips (umn.edu) and Minnesota plant lists - Minnesota Stormwater Manual (state.mn.us)

You might check out the Lawns to Legumes Program and see if you aren't eligible for a grant. Https://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l

I see you are in Minneapolis. I suggest you check with the city to see if there are any ordinances regarding boulevard plantings.

Relative to moving the sod. Is the area around the Hackberry lumpy because of roots? If so, you should not cover the roots with the sod. You would be better off the lift the sod around the tree and mulch the area or plant a ground cover. Sometimes you get lumps from Nightcrawlers. If this is the case, you can scrape them down and then lay the sod from the boulevard. I will warn you, however, that if it is nightcrawlers the lumps will reappear!

Once you lay the sod be sure to keep it watered for several weeks so the roots will take hold.

Having said all this,  I believe the basic problem is that the turf around the Hackberry is suffering because of the shade from the tree and the competition for soil nutrients and moisture. I recommend you seriously consider lifting that sod as well and mulching the area or planting a ground cover. You could always add color by putting pots of shade plants around the tree or have small beds of colorful shade plants. If you decide to put in small beds, be careful of the Hackberry roots.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied January 21, 2022, 6:16 PM EST

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