Use flat-bladed shovels to cut away the sod about 2 inches outside the mason's line. The extra allowance will enable us to insert retaining strips later to keep the pavers stationary. Rocking the shovel blade forward and backward, and then side to side, will widen the gap and make the boundary more evident in the grass.

Pull up the stakes and remove the mason's line once the boundary is well marked. Use the shovels to cut the sod within the patio boundary into small rectangles.

Slide the flat shovel beneath the individual squares of sod for easy removal. You can use them to re-sod another part of the yard, if desired.

Excavate and remove soil from the rectangle to a depth of 7 inches. Depending on the consistency/hardness of the soil, you can work with shovels, hand diggers, or a full size mattock.