What the others have said is true: This is hard work, but if you do it
right, you only need to do it once. Some thoughts on making it easier:

1) In terms of size (from the front of the bed to the fence), make it bigger
than your original idea. Gardeners usually end up with at least some plants
which don't look great all season long, and you'll want space to hide those
with other plants. Daffodil & tulip leaves are an example. You may also want
to be able to step into the back of the bed to trim & plant things, rather
than trying to lean all the way in from the grass. So, plan for small
"kneeling spaces". It's easier to plan size now than it is to try and
enlarge later.

2) If you decided to remove the grass, begin by watering very thoroughly two
days ahead of time. Not only will the job be less dusty, but deep weeds (if
any) will release from the soil more easily.

3) Sharpen your spade with a large file frequently as you work. Not razor
sharp, obviously, but...you'll see. Just a little touch-up makes a world of
difference. Cut the grass into manageable "tiles". Cut underneath each
section with the spade, and then remove the soil by one of the methods
described by Alexander. You don't have to remove 100%, but it's a shame to
lose 80% of it, unless the piece of sod can really be put to good use
elsewhere.

4) When it's done, drive the spade straight down as far as possible, where
the grass meets the edge of the bed. Do this regularly, and you'll minimize
the tendency of the lawn to invade the bed.

5) You do NOT have to "turn over" the soil as a rototiller would. Use a fork
to loosen the top 4" or so, by inserting the fork and rotating to loosen
clumps. All the labor's in your arms for this, and it's easy. You shouldn't
need to work hard unless you're dealing with heavy clay.
-Doug


"GSHATTERHAND" wrote in message
...
I need help with a very basic project. Our new cedar fence was finally
finished
Saturday, nine weeks after we ordered it and 4 weeks past passed the
promised
completion date. This has created a perfect spot for a flower bed along
the
fence.

But how do I turn the strip along the fence, which is now grass, into the
nicely cultivated soil of a flower bed?

I have to use basic garden tools, no power tools. Can I just turn the soil
over
with a shovel, burying the grass, and then break up the soil? Will the
grass
die under the soil or grow back? (The grass that was under the piles of
soil
from the fence post holes sure seems dead after only a week.)

Or must I somehow kill or remove the grass first, before turning the soil?
Removing the grass without also taking a lot of top soil seems almost
impossible. Any advice on this would be appreciated.