"New Lawn"

[tom's lawn care]

I am almost 16 years old and I have a growing lawn and landscaping buisness. One of my customers has asked me if it would be worth wile getting a new Lawn. I am asking you guys what are the steps for a new lawn, including removing the old one, and equipment that i will need? Thanks for your feedback.

[The Rookie]

try the search option on the forum.

[azandy]

Most of the time it is much better to fix the existing lawn. Proper fert, weed control, overseeding, and general touch up can fix it. To replace the lawn, you will have to till, grade, prep, and seed. If the lawn is full of weeds or undesireable grass, you will have to spray it dead first. Usually unless there is a grade or drainage problem, we would fix the existing. Overseeding with a good seed can overpower most " junk " grass.

[IntegrityGuy]

the lawn he is talking about is about 80-90% crab grass. When you fertilize it with the crab killer in the mix her yard turns brown.

[azandy]

Generally crab grass control mixed in the fert is applied the first app of the year. Should be before the ground temp is 50 degrees. The current products that are available here in WI do not kill the existing crabgrass but prevent germination of new. Sometimes browing of the lawn can be caused by other factors such as application rate of the fert. I would apply it as directed.

[IntegrityGuy]

Generally crab grass control mixed in the fert is applied the first app of the year. Should be before the ground temp is 50 degrees. The current products that are available here in WI do not kill the existing crabgrass but prevent germination of new. Sometimes browing of the lawn can be caused by other factors such as application rate of the fert. I would apply it as directed.

he did apply as directed. The actual kentucky bluegrass turned really really grean and was great, but the crab was brown.

[Smallaxe]

I am almost 16 years old and I have a growing lawn and landscaping buisness. One of my customers has asked me if it would be worth wile getting a new Lawn. I am asking you guys what are the steps for a new lawn, including removing the old one, and equipment that i will need? Thanks for your feedback.

It is necessary to know what you are removing. If you are overrun with crabgrass now, anything that disturbs the soil will only bring up new seeds.

If you can establish a lawn this spring b4 those seeds take over the area again then you win.

If the seeds germinate and compete with your lawn you lose.

You may have to wait until fall if you can't come up with a workable strategy for the problem. Covering with new clean topsoil may work. Good luck. :)

[tom's lawn care]

thanks for the info

[White Gardens]

Make sure it is crab-grass for sure.

I watched a couple rent a sod-cutter in the early spring, and cut out the whole yard and place it on the curb.

I proceeded to ask them why they were doing that, and they said they couldn't get the crab-grass killed and decided to start new.

You should have seen their faces drop when I told them it was tall fescue, not crabgrass, and they probably will have it return if it wasn't sprayed.

[Smallaxe]

Make sure it is crab-grass for sure.

I watched a couple rent a sod-cutter in the early spring, and cut out the whole yard and place it on the curb.

I proceeded to ask them why they were doing that, and they said they couldn't get the crab-grass killed and decided to start new.

You should have seen their faces drop when I told them it was tall fescue, not crabgrass, and they probably will have it return if it wasn't sprayed.

Well if they don't like tall fescue then to them it is a weed. Throwing it away was stupid. That part of a lawn probably carried a lot of nice elements, and every yard can use a pile of good dirt.
Great story though. :)

[White Gardens]

Well if they don't like tall fescue then to them it is a weed. Throwing it away was stupid. That part of a lawn probably carried a lot of nice elements, and every yard can use a pile of good dirt.
Great story though. :)

Luckily, many people drove by and picked most of it off the curb like it was gold, but ya, they got rid of a good layer of soil.

One mans weed is another mans perennial.

One thing we were educated on in the MG course, is don't do anything dramatic, or expensive until you call a professional to come asses the issues.

[TurfSouth]

tom's lawn care,
I mean this with the up most respect, hire a professional. Replacing a lawn is a much bigger task than you imagine or have the experience for. I commend you for what you have done, but you are taking on a whole new can of worms.

[Smallaxe]

tom's lawn care,
I mean this with the up most respect, hire a professional. Replacing a lawn is a much bigger task than you imagine or have the experience for. I commend you for what you have done, but you are taking on a whole new can of worms.

Fall renovation is a no-brainer with the right program.

Spring reno. can be tricky, but he seems to think he can do it. :)