[MeathMan]

Hi,
I have a 1.5 acre site that I need to turn into a lawn. Its agricultural at the moment and there will be hay cut on it this summer after which I'll be starting work. I've some ditches to fill in the meantime. What are the sequence of steps. I had a quote from a landscaper for 3,500 whosaid he would leave it seeded and ready to mow. He also has a 'stone burier'. If I want to get this done myself what needs to be done? As I understand it, its something like:
1. Spray and kill
2. Plough
3. Sow and harrow

Where does the stone burier come in and what steps am I missing?

Thanks

R

[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

MeathMan, the steps are outlined in this post... A new lawn from seed. .

The stone burier usually comes in at the stage the rotovator comes in, after ploughing/digger work.
Just before the final raking (if needed) and seed spreading/turf laying.
See the video below for one in action (no sound).
There is no doubting that it leaves the soil very fine for seeding, too fine on occasion as a crumbly structure would be preferred.
This dealt with in the post I mentioned.


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If the video is missing, please inform us by emailing here info(at)irishgardeners.com change the (at) for @

[medieval knievel]

out of curiosity, why do you want a one and a half acre lawn?
you could buy several thousand bare root saplings for the quote you received above - though that wouldn't include planting them.

[MeathMan]

[MeathMan]

Thanks GPI. Thats a bit daunting. With the size of the lawn it'll all have to be done by heavy machinery which may cause some compaction. I think I have some drainage problems which I'll confirm by diggin the 12inch holes I saw referenced in another post. I'm trying to work out if it make sense for me to get the work done bit by bit or get the landscaper in to simply provide me with a lawn. I only want to do this once-properly.

[JennyS]

Hi - this'll maybe sound a bit daft, but much, much cheaper than the 3,500 you were quoted.......

When I bought my place what is now my lawn was a combination of rough grazed field and some damp, rushy ground. (Over half an acre altogether, but with flower beds and a pond too)
I got a good lawnmower that the cutting height could be adjusted on, started out on the highest setting and mowed it all........ Filled hollows, removed stones, seeded bare bits and did a bit of leveling as I went along.
Over the next year or two I lowered the height setting as the ground leveled out and the rough grass was replaced by shorter, finer grasses because of the constant cutting.

I've a really good-looking lawn now!