New house, 19 acres, bad grass

Ok, I am about to close on our dream home... our first home. 19.5 acres, pond, all it's missing is the shop. Did I mention 19.5 acres? Not all of it is mowable, probably 8 or so is wooded. The rest, well, the grass is ugly. Lots of weeds, and nothing that looks like they ever tried to get a uniform looking grass going. Obviously, I will have to invest in a good mower, and am researching that right now.... any suggestions are certainly welcome.

The main question, where do I start in turning this into the yard we want? I know it takes time, but I also know that one can waste a lot of time and money doing things in the wrong order, etc. Anyone have experience turning over a mess of clumps of weeds into a backyard paradise?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

Forgot to post pics of the mess

 

Start with a good chemical program. Get rid of the weeds and then concentrate on getting grass in there.

 

BTW, awesome looking place!

 

You need a small tractor with a finish mower. The tractor will last you a lifetime while maintaining a good resale value. You can buy a buy a new finish mower for every 8 to 10 years for a lot less than a top of the line riding or zero turn mower. I live in a few miles from Batesville.

 

Thanks for the info... I will do some research on chemicals, etc.

Would something like a Kubota BX series be enough tractor, or should I go bigger? The cost differences can be significant, but like you said, if it lasts a lifetime, no worries. I do intend to put in a garden, so eventually would want something to turn the ground with. I have a walk behind rear tine tiller now, so that plan is optional.

 

I have no experience with the Kubota BX line, they look a little small, but as long as you can pull a 5 foot finish mower, you will be fine.

 

I have no experience with the Kubota BX line, they look a little small, but as long as you can pull a 5 foot finish mower, you will be fine. You are never going to afford to have a lawn care company spray that much acreage, so I suggest getting a small spray rig for your tractor. A lot of land in this area needs lime, so you may want check the soil ph.

 

I will have that checked when I get there, we close on the 26th of April. I will visit some of the dealers around, what part of the state are you in?

I need to figure out where to get soil checked, my list of things to do is growing... but I intend to enjoy turning this place around. The pond is fully stocked, so it is all going to be worth it!

Is there a specific tractor you like?

 

On Eureka Street, just up from Dunlap and Kyle, there is a county extension office that will give you the info for sending in a soil test to Miss. State. It cost 6 bucks.