Tilling my backyard to start garden from scratch - Ask Extension
Hi, I have a roughly 1000 SF backyard that was previously a weedy lawn. 2-3 years ago I sheet mulched the entire yard to kill the grass. The current s...
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Tilling my backyard to start garden from scratch #928897
Asked April 19, 2026, 7:49 PM EDT
Hi, I have a roughly 1000 SF backyard that was previously a weedy lawn. 2-3 years ago I sheet mulched the entire yard to kill the grass. The current state is relatively weedy and old mulch, and I want to return the yard to square one so I can plan a garden.
I believe my best bet is to till the land, level it, and amend with compost before I start planting. Can/should I till the mulch into the soil? Raking it all before tilling would be a massive pain since it is very compacted (but not yet fully broken down).
Any insight you can give would be great!
Thanks,
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Spencer. To provide accurate advice, we need to know what “returning the yard to square one” means. Are you going to have turfgrass? A alternative lawn? Vegetable garden—in native soil or raised beds? Xeriscape? Standard perennials? There are resources for all of them, but all slightly different.
In any event, removing the turf and weeds is critical. Sorry that it didn’t work the first time!
In any event, removing the turf and weeds is critical. Sorry that it didn’t work the first time!
Thank you for getting back to me! My goal is to have a diverse cottage garden with a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual flowers. I don't plan to grow vegetables in the backyard (that's what I have in my front yard). By square one, I would like my yard to be level and workable soil. It is currently covered in 2 year old mulch from a Maple tree. Most convenient would be if I can till the mulch into the soil, so that I can avoid having to rake it all away.
I also don't want to replace the mulch once it's done.
Let me know if that is enough information!
Thanks,
Spencer
Thanks, Spencer! First, don't worry about having to remove the leaves! As they decompose, they return necessary nutrients to the soil. (Forests require no gardeners or rakes!)
Here is a good article about how to proceed: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-marin-master-gardeners/avoid-disturbing-your-soil
Hope this helps!
Here is a good article about how to proceed: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-marin-master-gardeners/avoid-disturbing-your-soil
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the resource, to clarify, my yard is covered in woodchips, not leaves! My goal with tilling is to level and amend with compost. That article discourages tilling, but I'm wondering if a one-time till would be appropriate?
Sorry; I misunderstood. The problem with tilling in chips, inlike leaves, is that the chips actually remove nitrogen from the soil (both atop and in the soil). That's the most needed nutrient, so you'll have to add supplemental nitrogen. While it may be a hassle, raking up the bark and setting them aside for future use (away from trunks and stems) is the better path. And you can still till in compost and fertilizer, if necessary.
