Removing Sod

• 1). Alternatively, you can hire a local landscaping service to remove your yard's sod.
  
  
• 2). Position the sod cutter at one end of the lawn and pull the blade engagement lever to lower the blade. Cut about 3 inches into the ground to remove sod.
  
  
• 3). Put the sod cutter in low gear, pull the throttle and assert slight pressure on the sod cutter's handlebar.
  
  
• 4). Push the sod cutter slowly and steadily through your yard in straight lines, cutting the sod in strips. Take it one strip at a time.
  
  
• 5). Hold the throttle and push the blade engagement lever forward to cut the end of each sod strip and make the blade exit the ground.
  
  
• 6). Collect the sod strips. Dispose of them or give them away to a green thumb who wishes to install a sod lawn.
  
  

Preparing for Rock

• 1). Spray the exposed dirt of your yard thoroughly with a garden sprayer of weed or grass killer. Wear eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from harmful fumes.
  
  
• 2). Allow the exposed dirt to dry completely.
  
  
• 3). Measure the length, width and depth of your yard with a measuring tape.
  
  
• 4). Cut lengths of weed-barrier mesh with a utility knife based on your measurements.
  
  
• 5). Lay the weed-barrier mesh over the surface of your yard. Trim as necessary.
  
  

Installing Rock

• 1). Spread a 1/4-inch layer of rock aggregate over the exposed dirt and weed mesh using a wheelbarrow and flat-blade spade.
  
  
• 2). Spread a 1/8-inch layer of sand over the rock aggregate. Compact the sand with your shovel as you go.
  
  
• 3). Spread a layer of landscaping rocks evenly over the aggregate and sand, making a layer from 1 to 3 inches thick. Completely fill in the few inches of sod you removed with landscaping rock.