Mulching? Several questions

svcrawf72 – posted 19 March 2004 07:37

As you know or don’t know my yard has gaps between the sod, these gaps may be 1 inch to 2 inches. The ground is unlevel and I would say on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 being flat and perfect and 10 being pot holes with small mounds, I would give my yard a 6.I am trying sand but am affraid it will kill the grass under it. I was told that if I mulch that ONE DAY it will all fill in. I am sure this is a LONG TERM plan and will never be perfect but even if I can get my yard at a 3 or 4 I would be happy. I use the Honda mower with twin blades that is suppose to be the Bomb for mulching. Should I mulch it? Will mulching work? Should I just stick gun powder in my yard and blow it up so I have a reason to start over? “JK there”

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 19 March 2004 09:26

I’ve seen and read about a couple things that seem to work for leveling existing turf. Sand works but if you use sand over grass, you can only use 1/3 inch per week. Even then, you have to use a push broom to sweep the sand off the grass blades and let it get to the soil.

The other thing I’ve read about is to use an aerator to level your lawn. This is sort of ingenious – wish it was my idea. Basically using a core aerator you can remove the plugs from the high spots and sweep them into the low spots with a rake or broom. This process transfers soil from high to low at a very measured rate. You can do this monthly. The cost to rent an aerator can hit you pretty hard so the sand will start to look pretty good, but the aerator will work for you without bringing in any more soil/sand.

Mulch works between grass but not on grass. It will smother grass unless you sweep it off. Mulch will not raise an area because the organic matter in the mulch will simply completely evaporate in a year or so. You need something mineral to go down and do the actual raising. You could make a 50:50 mix of sand and mulch for the gaps and holes but 1/3 of an inch is still the limit per week on top of actively growing grass.

Your mower is a mulch/mower (and a great one!). You should mulch/mow your grass always (in my opinion). The mulch I’m talking about is like shredded bark or leaves piled up to cover the soil and retain moisture in your gaps.

cohiba – posted 19 March 2004 16:11

For the gaps in your once sodded lawn I recommend a “divot mix”. A seed and sand mixture to fill in the gaps. If we are talking cool season grasses you can add your type grass and Perennial Ryegrass for almost instant gratification. If we are talking warm season grasses you can try the rye but it will get lost in the heat of the summer. The thing to do is to try to get those grasses to move into those areas laterally. Thatching and stimulating growth with extra fert will help. As far as the mulching mower is concerned “Have at it” I feel that as long as clippings are not laying on the lawn you cannot go wrong.

Good Luck……