Spread Compost on Lawn with Landscape Rake?

The Suburban Farmer · May 12, 2015

My lawn is in bad shape. My plan is to core aerate and spread compost on about 2 acres of lawn this week, but was wondering the best way to spread the compost. Here's what I'm thinking... is this crazy?

Aerate the lawn with a plug aerator
Put the compost in piles around the yard with the front end loader
Turn my landscape rake around BACKWARDS and tow it reversed so the tines are angled with the pull (opposite of the traditional way), and spread it over the yard

Anyone try this? I did it by hand (shovel and a rake) at our last house with great results, but the yard was <.5 acres, so it wasn't a big deal. For 2 acres, I was hoping for something that would be a little easier. I'm a 1 man show, and I'm already running a little late at getting this done this spring and probably only have a day to get it done due to other commitments / projects.

Think a reverse landscape rake would damage the yard too badly?

The OTHER thought is to put a piece of 2x on the tines to make a wood-edged "blade" and do it that way. Like the pic below:

Which way would work the best with minimal damage to the yard, do you think?

Will_C · May 12, 2015

I would think using a chain harrow, smooth side down, after you spread the best you can with your FEL.

Will

jcummins · May 12, 2015

May damaged the rake doing that.

2458n · May 12, 2015

If your compost is real fine (as in falling between the teeth) you should end up with good results. The plugs on my yard are done in the fall and get the frost heave effect. A little rolling around with the rake will help them also.

GirlWhoWantsTractor · May 12, 2015

This is best done in the fall so the frost heave will work it into the soil. If you put the compost down at the beginning of summer, it will dry up in the hot/dry spells and blow away, or get washed away in summer t-storms. Still, if you're desperate, it will do some good. Always ask why your lawn is in such bad shape. Bad soil, bad drainage, improper grading, compaction, too little sun, etc. Need to fix the core problems if you want a long-term solution. If you're mowing with your JD, that could be part of your problem--compaction. Core aerators do little to fix this if you keep mowing/compacting. Two acres is a lot of LAWN. There are attractive, low-maintenance alternatives to "farming" a lot of fescue you can't eat.

I like your 2x4 arrangement; should do the spreading (and also some good leveling) without damaging the grass you have, which really can't take heavy raking in the heat/dry of summer with a clay soil.

shallowwatersailor · May 13, 2015

You could try a section of chain-link fencing, or one of the dedicated drag harrows. Here is the NT ad for the inexpensive one:
Yard Tuff ATV Drag Harrow — 48in.W, Model# DH-045 | Dethatchers Rakes| Northern Tool + Equipment

The Suburban Farmer · May 13, 2015

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'm going to try the rake with the 2x8 mounted on it. I also plan to do this in the fall, but the wife REALLY wants a nicer looking yard this summer so I'm doing a 2-phase approach. The people that owned the house before us did NOTHING to the lawn, so it's in terrible shape. The soil tests are fine, other than being light on just about everything -- thus the compost instead of just fertilizer. The drainage is fine -- just a lot of deferred maintenance on the yard.

The small section out front that I did by hand in the spring/fall last year looks AWESOME now... just the remaining 2 acres to do and I'm following the same proceedure. Just need a "mechanized" way to attack the 2 acres, and I think the "board over the rake teeth" might be the best way... we'll see.