Question
Hi,
We have a suburban lot that borders a city pond.  In order to create a border, we decided to make a garden that will contain perennials with some vegetables mixed in as well (many of which we will start from seed).  We killed the sod and then tilled the area.  Now the bed is filled with dead chunks of sod.  Would it be better to rake the area and remove the sod or is the dead sod beneficial to the soil?

Thanks for your help!
Kristi

Answer
Hi Kristi,

I am eager to help you further if you can provide me with answers to the questions that I have sent you. Please let me know if I can help you any further.

In the garden,

David

=====original response=======

It sounds like you have a very ideal setting for a backdrop for your landscape in that of a city pond. Prior to giving you an answer to your question, there are some issues that you have raised that need to be considered prior to determining what is best in your situation.

Some of those questions follow:

1) Is the city pond used for any sort of drainage retention area where there might be toxins present in the water which could leach into your edible garden plants?

If your vegetables have the potential to absorb water that has come from a contaminated water source, I would recommend against vegetables or fruits of any kind without first having the soils tested where any vegetable or fruit would be planted.

From a legal point of view, I would also recommend that you look closely at the potential for liability. There really is not anything quite so appealing as a well though out flower and vegatable garden, and such a garden could easily attract onlookers who might trespass thinking that the garden is a part of the city pond area. More importantly, that of small children that might be lured by the beauty of the flowers you might plant, and as a result be met with injury either because of the garden's close proximity to the pond, eating something from your garden that would be dangerous to them, or being bitten by a snake or rodent that might makes its territory where there are small insects and even smaller rodents who feed on the insects and/or plant life in your garden. In such cases, some sort of fencing (if only a 24 inch picket fence) should be incorporated into your garden area to lesson the possibility of intrusion by  would-be admirers or curiosity seekers.

2) Did you use any toxic agents to kill the grass that you are wanting replaced by your garden border, and if so, what kind?

In general, if you have thoroughly killed an existing grass through natural means such as burning or covering with a black shade barrier, and the type of grass DOES NOT have a hardy root system such as Bermuda grasses which are very difficult to kill without toxic agents or compounds, keeping the organic material in the bed is always best. If you have used a toxin to kill your grass in the area, I would recommend that you remove the dead grass, and any soil that might have been contaminated by the toxin. Your vegetables will thank you, and so will the livers of those who eat the fruit of your garden's harvest.

3 What type of soil is present in the area that you want to roto-till the dead grass into?

One of the most important keys to a healthy and productive garden of any type is the preparation of the soil. Most flowers and garden plants that yield fruit and vegatables are hardy eaters so your soil should be conducive to such appetites. I would suggest that you spend a considerable amount of time tilling in lots of organic matter such as shredded oak leaves and pine needles and that your 'good earth' is a minimum of 12 inches deep in finely shredded composted matter. You might even consider the Black Cow processed manure that can be purchased at most large garden center chainstores. I would also recommend that you consider purchasing some 'red wiggler' earth worms for your garden as they are absolutely the hungriest worm I know of and famous for composting all sorts of organic matter into deep dark rich soil that plants love. (No, I don't sell worms for a living, but if I did, I would sell those little buggers). I buy my red wigglers online. If you have the inclimation to do so, take a soil sample from several locations in the area you intend to have your garden and have it analyzed for PH, toxins, and any parasitic properties. I would suggest taking one sample for every 5 square feet including along the water's edge where plants might find a water source in the future. In most cases, the municipality who manages the lake can provide the information about the lake to you at no charge as a matter of public service.

I do hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate in contacting me again for any help or encouragement in the planning and planting of your garden. I would enjoy seeing a picture of your new garden when you are finished.

For your success in all your landscape gardening ambitions, I remain

In the garden,

David
[email protected]