Installing Stone Over Grass: To Remove or Not?

Installing Stone Over Grass: To Remove or Not?

Laying stone in a grassy side yard. Two approaches:

Remove Grass (Preferred)

• Rent sod cutter ($30/half-day) – best $30 spent.
• Eliminates competition, settling, future weeds.
• Compact base before stone.

Leave Grass (If Budget Only)

• Lay landscape fabric over mowed grass.
• Stone on top.
• Grass may eventually push through; fabric degrades.

For Retaining Walls or Traffic

Must remove grass, compact subgrade, use proper base.

Do it right once—remove the grass.