Mary Stella, I am in the process of digging up most of the grass in my front yard. Since it is heavy solid clay right there in the newly dug section, I forked it out, clods and all. Big job, and there was a LOT of dirt, but the cardboard or solarization wouldn't work as well for my purposes. Do think I can try one of them in back, and would be interested to hear which method you choose and how well it works for you.