lawn and yard.?

Question

need help getting started on a lawn and yard. where should i start if im doing it myself?

Answer 1

Wow! Small space here to answer all. First I'd start with a plan. Either hire a designer or so some research and come up with something. Keep it simple as this is your first time. Will you need a sprinkler system? You'll need a plan, drawn to scale, to take to the sprinkler people so they can design a system for you. They will be great help in setting it up.......it's not that hard, just confusing the first time.

The different areas will need a differenty type sprinkler system. One doesn't do all.........well.

Contact you Cooperative Extension Service agent in your county. Each county has one. You can find them in the blue pages of the phone book under the county, sometimes the state university, or agriculture. You can also do a web search for your state then Cooperative Extension Service and dig on down until you get their phone number. They are there to help you in this situation. They may refer you to a knowledgeable Master Gardener who can give you more detailed info.

A drainage test is where you dig an extra deep hole, fill it once. Let it drain away. Fill it again and see how quickly it drains. The first drain is usually pretty fast, it's the second one that will tell you what you are up against. Hope it disappears in a hour or two. If not, then your yard may need some drainage work........hope not. Like a good house, a good yard depends on good subsurface.

OK, first comes leveling. Sprinkler system. Soil ammendments such as compost and starter fertilizers as needed. Ideally trees come next, but people are often too excited about a lawn and go there first. Sod, seed, or sprigging depends on the type grass you will install. Then plants. If you are making planting beds, retainer walls, etc, they of course come in the beginning.

Word about trees. Their placement should be figured in with the initial plan. Why? Because as a tree or evergreen grows it will deflect water. So if the sprinkler system doesn't have enough overlap built in, you could end up with a dry spot behind the tree. Also look up for overhead lines, never plant under or near them. Stay away from the house.......no limbs over or against the house. Also don't put the trees near sidewalks or driveways as the roots will crack them. Tree roots go out, not down.

You might look for a booklet on home landscaping or see if the Extension Service has one. Remember, prior planning prevents poor projects. So paper and pencil are your first tools.

Answer 2

First of all you need to level your yard and remove all debris, rocks ect. Then you need to Lime it well and add your Grass Seed. Next you need to fertlize it well with 10-10-10 and keep it watered well until it takes root. After it is established then each year you can just add WeedNFeed. That will fertilize it and keep it healthy and also Kill any weeds in your yard..