hi, i live in chicago and recently bought a house. i bought it before it got cold, and noticed puddles of water in the backyard. it dried up, and when i walk in the backyard some areas of it are depper then other areas. i think something might be wrong with the slant of the yard. i plan to work on it in the spring/summer. does anyone have ideas on what i can do. do i have to redig and lay new grass?
any help would be great.
2007-01-15 04:03:30 · 4 answers · asked by poloblunts 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Sounds like your lawn area is suffering from "hardpan". This is when the soil gets too compacted from heavy foot traffic,not allowing the water to drain down into the soil like it is suppose to do. It can also be caused from poor soil quality.. (too much clay). You need to rent an "aerator" at any rental center. This is the machine that pokes holes and removes "plugs" from the turf. You just go back and forth like you are mowing the lawn. It needs to be done in the early spring and then maybe again just before the "heat" of summer sets in. By doing this you are opening up the soil allowing air, water, and nutrients when you fertilize, to enter the root zone, where it will do the most good. As far as the low spots that puddle up, you can add some good topsoil to these areas to build them up to level, and then just re-seed them. This should all be done in the spring, after there is no more threats of frost.. Here is a link for you too read with some added info....
http://www.lawncare.com/index.cfm/event/Article.Detail/documentId/d3755642e5e48c06c8b3bb65375d194a
2007-01-15 04:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Billy Ray♥ Valentine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How steep is the slant of the yard?
If it is not extreme I would recommend finding some soil building compost that contains gypsum. I had standing water in my yard when I bought my house. We tilled in a lot of compost with gypsum and it is now deep wonderful soil. You could seed a new lawn or use sod.
2007-01-15 04:14:58 · answer #2 · answered by plaplant8 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The easiest thing that I have found, and no one will notice at all, is to use sand in the lower spots. It will look weird at first, but your grass will grow over it and you will have a perfectly leveled yard.
Just make sure that when you put sand on it that you get a 2X4 stud, just one for each person working, and smooth it out with it. And try to work it around the same angle or lack of that you wish to have.
2007-01-15 04:10:33 · answer #3 · answered by protruckdriver71 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to build up those holes. Add more top soil and compost. And yes lay new grass.
2007-01-15 04:10:45 · answer #4 · answered by ♨ Wisper ► 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋