old field to decent lawn

ALPS · Dec 12, 2004

Thanks for all the great advice, at least now I've got a place to start next spring. And it looks like I've got a lot of work to do. I plan on living here for quite a while, and if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right and have something to show off and be proud of.

One more question I have: is it necessary to plow before disking? One person (not here) said I could disk the ground and that would do it, but we have heavy clay soil and when it's dry it's like concrete. I doubt this area of the former farm was ever plowed before, if that helps.

And yes, I'll try to get some pictures up, too.

KiotiJohn · Dec 13, 2004

( One more question I have: is it necessary to plow before disking? One person (not here) said I could disk the ground and that would do it, but we have heavy clay soil and when it's dry it's like concrete. I doubt this area of the former farm was ever plowed before, if that helps. )
I think you'd find it easier to plough first, but it's not an absolute.
If you have enough weight on the disks, and run them over a few times in different directions, you may be able to tear it up enough to satisfy your needs. If the clay is hard and packed, you may find it better to plough first, or save a lot of work and use a good strong tiller. John

Egon · Dec 13, 2004

If you have enough horsepower and a very heavy disc it will work. Otherwise plough first. You will end up with a much better job.

For planting think about keeping the area black for at least a month or so to give all the seeds that are in the ground a chance to sprout and be worked under. Every time you work it it will also help smooth and level.

Instant viable lawn is a myth - even when turf is used!

I've got nothing against a disc , it's just that they require more HP-Traction than most of us have.

Egon

Gatorboy · Dec 13, 2004

You'd be surprised how well it could look if you just mow it more often.

Here are two BEFORE/AFTER pictures of when I bought my property and how it looked about 1 year later:

Photo 1 | Photo 2

And here is another set for good measure:

Before | After

have_blue · Dec 13, 2004

( ( You'd be surprised how well it could look if you just mow it more often.

Here are two BEFORE/AFTER pictures of when I bought my property and how it looked about 1 year later: ))

Bah! You Photo Shop'd those pics! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

All seriousness aside, I agree mowing is the best way to kill weeds and rough grasses. Just mowing and filling puddles will usually make a nice looking field. I also did the same thing you did, turned out good.

ALPS · Dec 13, 2004

Egon--

If you have enough horsepower and a very heavy disc it will work

I've got nothing against a disc , it's just that they require more HP-Traction than most of us have.

***************
What would you say is "enough" HP??

ALPS · Dec 13, 2004

Dave--

Yeah, I agree that mowing can do a lot. I used that method on the west side of the house, bush hogging, rut filling, seeding and mowing. Turned out nice enough, too.

However, in that area, like in your pics, it was all just high weeds. The spot in question now has patches of scrub and brush. Sure I could run the bush hog over it first first, but what about all those small stumps?? And there is considerable rutting, too. That would take lots of fill, and I've got no FEL to help.