Knowledgebase

Closing a garden #929125

Asked April 21, 2026, 3:04 PM EDT

I would like to close down a couple of my gardens as they have become more time consuming than I want to give. My plan is to allow people to dig up what they want but how can I best deal with what is left? Plowing under??? The plan would be to plant grass after that to make it part of the lawn again. Thank you in advance. Karen Obert

Lamoille County Vermont

Expert Response

Good Morning Karen,

Thanks for reaching out to Extension Master Gardeners!

Converting a garden to a lawn is much easier than the reverse, so you're in luck!

Plowing under is the most common option and due to the fact that you'll be actively planting grass rather than simply allowing it to move back in, any subsoil residue should break down quite quickly.

Here's a great general resource from our friends at Penn State about general lawn establishment: https://extension.psu.edu/lawn-establishment

And here's a more local resource from Maine with suggestions of grass suited to New England: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/yardscaping/lawn/seed.shtml

Last but not least, if you want to do a deep dive, Cornell has put together this extensive guide all about lawns and lawncare: https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/lawn/lawn-care-the-easiest-steps-to-an-attractive-environmental-asset/

Good luck with your project!

Cheers,Ricky, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention. When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposes only; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied April 22, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT
Thank you so much. I will look into your resources. To hear it will be easier than when I dug it all by myself is music to my ears!!
One never realizes they will eventually, hopefully age so bear that in mind when planting!!!
 
Thanks Again,
Karen Obert

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Ask Extension
To: Karen Obert
Subject: Re: Closing a garden (#0199040)
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:01:24 +0000

The Question Asker Replied April 22, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT
Your welcome, Karen. 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 22, 2026, 3:27 PM EDT

Loading ...