Renovating Lawn. What is best implement?

[hilden31]

I would post a picture, but I still have 4 feet of snow on my lawn.

Would the pulverizer work just as good as the core airator?

 

[Blagadan]

The best implement for renovating a lawn... your check book...!

I spent 2 years doing my lawn, weekends of picking stones, raking, levelling, filling low spots, etc.... It is still not perfect but is better than most.
My brother, on the other hand, got in a contractor who pulled up with 2 trucks full of equipment and a bunch of guys. They tilled, levelled, seeded and rolled, job was done in less than 2 days..... and after 1 year, his lawn is amazing...

my 2c......

 

[jeffinsgf]

I would post a picture, but I still have 4 feet of snow on my lawn.

Would the pulverizer work just as good as the core airator?

A pulverizer is going to completely destroy whatever turf you already have. It is going to be a "rip it out and start over" solution. An aerator works to improve the turf that already exists. The pulverizer is an example of a poor investment, in my opinion. If you need something like that, rent it. Why buy an implement that you should only need one time?

 

[hilden31]

What size aerator would you suggest for a 28hp tractor? Is that something that you would use in the spring and then again in the fall before winter arrives?

 

[TCBoomer]

What size aerator would you suggest for a 28hp tractor? Is that something that you would use in the spring and then again in the fall before winter arrives?

I easily pull a 5' with a 24hp, I'll bet even a 6' would work too. You can do it both spring and fall, but the key is do it after it rains. You want the ground to be moist.

 

[hilden31]

Aerating and topdressing will eliminate the compaction in your yard, prepare the site for overseeding (easily done by hand) and eventually smooth out the humps and bumps and dips. They are long term processes that you need to repeat a couple times a year, every year, so owning the implement makes good sense.

Can you give some suggestions on a topdresser? I am not finding much. How much do they usually cost?

 

[myyaz33]

The OP did say renovate but he did also say "completely redo" as well so it is easy to see why the majority of use gave the ideas we did. I would second the recommendation for the aerator, definitely worth owning one. I am not completely sure the topdresser is such a great idea, even though I would love to have one. From any reseach I have done, you are gonna spend at least a $1000 for a cheap one and guess what you get to use it once or twice a year (depending on time) like the aerator. Now if you are gonna hire your topdressing services, you can probably make some good money doing it and may be worth it. I look forward to hearing some recommendations on a topdresser.

It really depends on how fast you want all the problems fixed. Aerating should give you fairly quick results but likely 3 years to see full benefit and topdressing with compost & sand will solve some nutritional issues and fill in low spots, but it will take time. If you "completely redo" it by tilling it up, you can address all the issues at one time. Thats not say the issues won't arise again. You should still aerate when there is compaction and spreading the compost can definately reduce the need for other fertilization. That is really nice with fert prices now. Oh yeah, make sure to get a soil test.

Guys, guys, guys....the man said he wants to renovate, not rip out and replace. Every recommendation given so far is for equipment that would be required to create a new lawn from scratch, not work with what is already there. Not only that, but investing in that kind of equipment isn't a wise investment, unless you're going into the business.

Here's my advice, Hilden, and it's not only what I suggest, it is what I have done personally. You need a core aerator. Few things will revitalize your lawn like core aeration. It is an implement that you will use at least a couple times a year from now until you give up. The next thing you need is a topdressing spreader. Broadcast spreaders won't do (you may need one of them, too, at a later date). A topdressing spreader (or topdresser) will spread a uniform layer of any material on your yard. I topdress with compost a couple times a year and sand at least once. There are lots of different styles in a wide variety of price ranges, but those two items can be had within your stated budget.

Aerating and topdressing will eliminate the compaction in your yard, prepare the site for overseeding (easily done by hand) and eventually smooth out the humps and bumps and dips. They are long term processes that you need to repeat a couple times a year, every year, so owning the implement makes good sense.

 

[hilden31]

You are right. I did say "redo" and "renovate". I think that renovating is the way to go based on what I am reading.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Can you give some suggestions on a topdresser? I am not finding much. How much do they usually cost?

I bought a used one off eBay and rebuilt it. It is an original Turfco Mete-R-Matic tow behind model. I ended up with an 8000 dollar spreader for about 1500 in purchase price and repairs. However, not everyone is into rebuilding junk equipment. If I were buying a new unit today, it would probably be an Earth & Turf MultiSpread 200 Earth & Turf - America's Compact Topdresser Company

For an aerator to use on your own lawn, you just can't beat the deal going on right now from Turf-Aire on the Pro-Aire: PRO-AIRE Core Aerator If I didn't already have a Turfco, I would jump on that 36" unit for $449. I paid more than double that for a 42".

 

[getindirty]

nice reply Jeff,

Now in our internet age and instant credit who wants to wait years for it to be right? Just rip it up and start over. Plant the type and variety of grass that you want and enjoy all of your hard work as it grows.

Just kidding. Fill in the low spots. Use a good weed killer <55 degree soil temp and get a good pre em herbicide. Wait 2 wks the over seed 5 lb per 1000 sq ft min. 10 lb per 1000 sq ft for new areas. Fertilize at the same time you seed. Dont forget the water. Seed and fert $100 for 10,000 sq ft over seed.

Equipment. Loader tractor for filling in low areas. Box blade, or rear blade for grading new dirt. Don't cut when you are close to grade. Try the rear blade facing backwards or the box blade tipped up. Drag a piece of chain link fence to make it purdy. A bradcast spreader for seed and fert is cheap but won't work on a tractor. A roller with no water for seed to soil contact. This is the poor mans way out.

Renting a overseeder is +$200 for a day and you could plant 2-3 acres a day if all is ready. A power rake you can prep 2-3 acres for a new lawn in a day if there is not to much debris.