Lawn and Landscaping

MacTractor · Mar 7, 2013

I need some advice.

I am planning on doing some landscaping for my house which was built last year. I have a JD 2320 with a rear blade at this point in time but might be looking for a landscaping rake as to help with the landscaping tasks.

We ended up leveling in the summer last year and spreading out some top soil and seed and now I have lawn on the side and some of the front but the ground is very uneven. I didn't have the tractor at this point in time as I was on the fence in buying another one at the time. (I should have just done it then) On top of this there are many areas where the ground is just soft, so looking to use the 2320 mowing there might be an issuedilemmadelima now is in deciding to either just leave it, try to fix it, or rip it up and start new. I also need to add lawn to the other areas of the yard that are still dirt. (Really... Mud)

I want to setup the property so that I can mow everything that needs to be mowed with the tractor. (Planing on a rear finishing for the 2320). The plan will be to use mulch/rock landscaping in areas where you would need push mower.

What are some good strategies in building nice lawn? I know the areas that are soft might need some love in the drainage dept, but to be quite honest I find the ground here will turn to mush when it rains even if it is bone dry. Should I look to build a base with sand first then Soulsil? Sould I start from scratch on the uneven lawn?

I will add some pictures to show what I am working with when I canadvanceks in adavance.

murphy1244 · Mar 7, 2013

I would start anew as all the new lawns will start at the same time.

Western · Mar 8, 2013

Turf tires help allot on soft ground, as far as damage . If you rip up your lawn, what are you going to do to solve the "soft spots". re-doing it and having the same issues, seem like allot of work for no gain.

dakotagun · Mar 8, 2013

good luck - we're going down that same path this spring/summer. new construction and clay/mud for a yard. we'll be spreading fill and then topsoil with our SCUT, as well as cutting in and spreading gravel for our drive. i'm guessing you have some settling issues, which i anticipate here as well. but i would not tear everything up if i were you.
i have looked at a rake, as well, but most of my work will be done with my box blade and/or rear blade, since i'll need to move dirt and shave/fill where needed. smart to eliminate skinny areas - i'll try to avoid having trouble reaching all edges with my tractor, too. i'm thinking the driveway will give me more headache than the grass/yard, making sure the drainage and base are adequate.
good luck! i'll watch your thread here intently!

PandDLong · Mar 11, 2013

I would start over - trying to work around patches of lawn you're trying to save can be a real pain and often means you end up making compromises. Having a fresh start also helps in grading your entire area right so the water flows off the lawn - this may help some of your soft spots.

My trials and tribulations have taught me to make sure I have enough topsoil cover over the subsoil/clay to have healthy grass and to keep a sharp eye to the grade and how water will flow across that grass (once it's established).

Have fun and good luck

wcampbell47 · Mar 11, 2013

I have a landscape rake which gets very little use now. My choice for leveling is my land plane. The landscape rake, like a box blade will leave your yard or driveway with some undulations. You have to be very good with the 3 point control to eliminate them. The land plane is easier for those of us that are not so skilled with the 3 point. I do have a hydraulic top link which allows me to adjust the depth of cut on the fly. I maintain two parking lots and the roads of a small private subdivision with said land plane.