How to Fix Lawn After Construction
How to Fix Lawn After Construction
How to Fix Lawn After Construction 2023: No matter if your lawn has recently undergone construction or remodeling, it will continue to experience stress from various sources. Road salt damage, winter-weather ice storms, insects and rodents, as well as thatch can all adversely affect its growth and color.
Fortunately, many of these issues can be corrected on your own. By recognizing the issue, finding a suitable solution and applying it effectively, you’ll have your beautiful yard back within months or even seasons!
1. Aerate the Soil
Aerating the soil is one of the best methods for revitalizing lawns that have been damaged due to construction traffic. Aerators – machines that remove plugs of soil and create holes in grass – allow air, water and nutrients to reach roots for strong growth.
The initial step in aerating a lawn is to identify the source of the issue and decide on an effective remedy. Soil compaction is often responsible for uneven or unruly lawns due to past construction or use that compacted the soil beneath your grass.
Consider how you use your yard, the traffic it receives, and whether your lawn is prone to “desire paths.” These are trails created when pedestrians or pets find a convenient shortcut from sidewalk to an area in the yard they frequent frequently.
Unauthorized paths can wreak havoc on the soil beneath grass, particularly when they’re located in high foot traffic areas such as playgrounds or racetracks. Lawns suffering from these issues usually benefit from aeration and other soil improvements like spreading topsoil or adding compost.
Aeration is usually a do-it-yourself project that takes an hour or two to complete. However, if you feel unqualified to handle the process, it would be best to leave this work to a professional who has all of the necessary equipment and know-how.
Aeration is an essential part of any lawn care regimen, but especially so for newly established lawns. Newly constructed lawns often have a thin layer of dirt and thatch covering the ground which prevents water and nutrients from reaching their roots, leading to dry, dead or spongy grass. Aeration helps combat this issue and allows nutrients and water to reach roots more effectively, leading to healthier-looking grass in the long run.
Thatch can inhibit root growth and clog soil pores, making it difficult for plants to absorb oxygen and excrete waste products. Aerating the soil allows you to eliminate thatch and give your grass room to breathe.
2. Fill in the Earth Patch
Spring is in full swing and homeowners are busy taking on projects both big and small to make their property stand out from the rest. While some tasks require plenty of food, one major hurdle lies ahead – keeping lawns and gardens looking lush and green for years to come. Luckily, there are several do-it-yourself solutions like mulches, soils and sands that can keep your yard looking lush for years to come – all on a budget! You’ll be amazed how much money you save by using the correct products at the right time in the right place will help offset these costs too!
3. Remove the Stump
Tree stumps can be an eyesore on a landscape, taking up valuable space and making gardening tasks difficult. Furthermore, they attract pests and diseases which could make your property their home if left unchecked.
To effectively remove a tree stump, it’s best to hire an expert. A certified tree removal expert can use a stump grinder to completely grind away the tree trunk and roots, leaving your yard free of the stump and helping prevent future regrowth.
Another option is to attempt removal of the stump yourself with various tools. You can rent a chainsaw or use an inexpensive hand tool, but be aware that this task requires physical exertion and requires some effort on your part.
To begin, dig down into the soil surrounding the stump and loosen it. Once you have exposed most of its roots, cut them into manageable chunks. Repeat this step as necessary in order to eliminate most of its systemic root system.
Once all the roots have been extracted, it’s time to burn the stump. Doing this will leave behind an open space in your lawn where new growth can now thrive.
Now is an ideal time to fill in the hole with topsoil or loam. Doing this will prevent the ground from sinking and leaving a large divot in your lawn.
Once the stump is gone, you can begin replanting grass and other vegetation in its place. Be sure to select a nutrient-rich topsoil so that your new grass grows rapidly and evenly.
Additionally, you will need to incorporate sod or grass seed into the area as well. Doing so will help your grass grow in and blend in with the rest of your lawn.
When taking out a stump, it’s essential to remain safe and avoid getting hurt by the tools you use. Always wear appropriate safety equipment like earplugs, work boots and helmets for extra protection.
4. Replant Grass
Many homeowners opt to renovate their yards after building a new home or starting remodeling projects. This could involve adding stone walls, cutting down problematic trees, building patios and adding a pool. Although these projects can be enjoyable and exciting for homeowners, they can also cause significant damage to the lawn.
Many soil problems arise due to its uneven structure. If you’ve ever worked with soil, you know it’s divided into distinct sections called soil horizons (O, A, B, C and R). The O horizon is the organic layer of the soil which contains beneficial nutrients and microbes that aid plant growth and create a healthy ecosystem in its surrounding.
The grasses that thrive in the B horizon lack access to essential organic material and must struggle to establish roots there. Here, the soil is mostly clay or sand which makes it difficult for newly installed lawns to take hold quickly.
That is why it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of your soil’s ideal structure before beginning any construction on your yard. A reliable landscaping company should have access to an advanced lawn test kit which can identify these issues and suggest an effective solution.
If your lawn is uneven, you can fix it by spreading a few inches of topsoil over the damaged area. If you have access to a rototiller, use it to work the new soil into the existing one. After watering thoroughly to settle everything in place, plant seed or sod as desired.
Once the new soil has settled, apply a beneficial starter fertilizer to encourage root growth. This should include an equal mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for maximum benefit.
Next, use a bow rake or garden rake to level out the soil and make it easier for grass roots to take hold. A bow rake works best here but either one will do just fine.
Once the soil is even, you can replant grass with the same type as your existing lawn. If using sod, cut it to fit and tamp it lightly; if planting seed, apply fertilizer according to package directions and cover with thin straw to conserve moisture and deter birds from eating the seeds. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LYe2AeO6wIw