Lifting lawn and using it for soil

Heck, I read a post somewhere on G.C. just an hour ago but can't find the thread. My question somewhat relates to that particular topic but certainly not in entirety.

Thing is you see... I need to block pave an area where there is currently a lawn (of sorts). I would like to lift the lawn and store it for using in raised beds as a beautiful rich soil. However, the lawn is currently full of weeds, inclusive of the long tap root sort, of course. How to eradicate these weeds relatively quickly at minimum cost to the customer (i.e. short time scale, as mentioned)? I read all about flame throwers and use or not of chemical. How about just to spot paint the dandelions with glyphosate? Would there be much impact on insect life and would it contaminate the soil in the longer-ish term? If much impact on either then it is not an option, end of discussion (I am a reformed man now, thanks to G.C. :D ).

Kind regards and many thanks!
Roy

 

Let's convert you completely, Roy! :rolleyes: If what you're after is beautiful rich soil - don't use chemicals, not even a little bit!!

If it was my job, I'd just cut off any stems, maybe even down below surface with a dandelion weeder as the part tap root left won't do much growing while the grass is rotting down. When you're sifting the end-result you can remove the weeds that are left quite easily anyway. This is what I've done with my own garden, which is the only place I've wanted to keep the soil/compost.

Have fun!

 

Cut off the turfs, no shilly-shallying about with chemicals and burners, and stack them upside down in a heap less than 3 feet high. If you want, put a black 'weed membrane' type cover over it and leave for six months or more. Hey presto - good usable topsoil. In times gone by this was what was called 'loam', before the more technical descriptions of soils arrived.

 

I'm 100% in agreement with Jazid. The only thing I would add is that a black waterproof cover rather than a black porous membrane will A. - help kill any growth a bit faster and B. - leave you with a nice heap of dry loam which will be a lot lighter when you come to move it.

 

Yup, that's what I will do Dendrobe and Jazid, that's what I'll do!
Don't really wish to leave it for as long as 6 months but I guess its worth the wait!
Cheers!
Royster

 

Ok Dave W. I'll bear this in mind too. Thanks!
Royster