new lawn help

[ktm250rider]

Im putting in a new lawn in central New Hampshire. Ive got very hard ground full of rocks. Ive got it pretty smooth but there are still many large rocks that are buried. I have a loam pile still to spread. My rake doesnt really penetrate the ground at all. I figure Ill have to dig out the big rocks next year.
Ive read many of the posts on installing lawns. Many recommend harrowing or box blading to break up the ground. Problem is, I dont have one and would like to not buy one. However, I really dont want to have to plant it again because I didnt prep correctly.
So, Do you think I can get away with spreading the pile of loam and then fertilizing and seeding?

 

[PBinWA]

You should check with your local Bobcat dealership and see if you can rent a skidsteer with an attachment called a "soil conditioner". Combined you are probably looking at a $400-500/day rental but unless you are putting in a huge lawn that should be all you need. You can find out about the Bobcat "soil conditioner" on the Bobcat web site.

 

[Egon]

What type of rake do you have?

 

[ktm250rider]

Not sure of the name but its a 7 foot york type rake with gage wheels. The ground is hard enough that you cant stand a shovel up by stomping it into the ground.
Its not very big now, only the front of the house. Problem is, then I have to do the sides and back. just trying to get the front done this year.

 

[Defective]

If I was working in soil too hard to plant a shovel, I'd seriously think about putting a major effort into breaking it up before doing anything else.

 

[rswyan]

Problem is, I dont have one and would like to not buy one. However, I really dont want to have to plant it again because I didnt prep correctly.

Yeah's that's probably wise - pappy always used to say that anything worth doing is worth doing right ......

I dunno how big of a project this is, but have you considered asking if any local TBN'ers would consider pitching in to help with this project ? Perhaps you could return the favor to them when the time comes.

I've been lucky enough to have tremendous help from two local TBN friends here with several projects around the place. The wife and I helped one put up a 26' x 48' run-in shed for hay storage and a cattle shelter this last weekend. This next weekend we'll help the other transplant 53 pine trees. Just a thought.

"None survive alone."

 

[Egon]

From the sounds of your soil condition it is very dry and planting a new lawn would be a waste of time till there is more moisture avalable.

The rake should help in scarifieing the soil and help level the dirt you are going to spread.

 

[rickmacheske]

I'm somewhat in the same situation. The builder planted a "lawn" around my house when I moved in. Unfortunately, he thought he could just plant a lawn in what I would term fill and rocks after rockhounding the first inch or so. You can guess what it looks like. Looks fine in the early spring when there is a lot of rain except for the areas that rocks have made it to the surface. I put topsoil that was heavy in organic material down in one area on top and replanted last fall. Looked great for the spring again. When summer hit it was obvious that the 2-3" of top soil couldn't hold the moisture and now it looks like it did before. I've started tilling the entire yard down 8" a little piece at a time and mixing in organic material. The hard part is removing all the rock. I figure I fill the FEL with handpicked rock every 9 square feet or so and have created a large rock pile already with the small area that I've completed. The area that I have finished is staying spongy and moist. I would definitely recommend removing the rock and tilling as deep as you can before putting down top soil and seeding. If you're going to just put the top soil on top of your rocks and clay I would suggest 6 to 8" of top soil. Just my opinion.

 

[Thomas]

Morning ktm250rider.
That's why were known as the grantie state...we grow good rocks.
Maybe you could rent a small dozer w/good operator and get it all done at once,than rake the ground off etc..

 

[ktm250rider]

Well, gonna try a box blade to loosen up the soil since I cant seem to find a rental place with 3pth tillers available.

Of couse if i had that backhoe ive been itching for, i could pluck all the rocks out of the ground.