Let's Talk Lawns

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
Mike, how'd you get rid of the grubs? I think that is what has been wreaking havoc on my lawn. I've laid stuff down in past years that has made some improvement but it wasn't lasting.

Once I determined it was grubs and not a watering issue last summer I had them sprayed which did in fact kill them and that got rid of them. I was told it could take a couple/three seasons for the lawn to completely recover but that was too long for me to wait so that's when I decided to cut the bad section of grass out and replace it with new sod.

There were smaller sections inside that damaged area that were in fact starting to green up over the past couple of weeks, but the majority of the damaged area was what I thought was beyond recovery.
 

RockChucker

Well-Known Member
Location
Highland
Once I determined it was grubs and not a watering issue last summer I had them sprayed which did in fact kill them and that got rid of them. I was told it could take a couple/three seasons for the lawn to completely recover but that was too long for me to wait so that's when I decided to cut the bad section of grass out and replace it with new sod.

There were smaller sections inside that damaged area that were in fact starting to green up over the past couple of weeks, but the majority of the damaged area was what I thought was beyond recovery.
Thanks for the response. I've been contemplating having a pro come and treat my lawn for a summer. I'm on the IFA 4 step plan this year, which is more than I've done the last couple years. I'm already seeing signs that not much will be changing. Maybe it isn't too late to call in a pro.
 

Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wyoming
Now I'm wondering how much of my backyard lawn is grubs vs dog pee burn. Gonna have to dig up a few spots to see I guess!
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Thanks for the response. I've been contemplating having a pro come and treat my lawn for a summer. I'm on the IFA 4 step plan this year, which is more than I've done the last couple years. I'm already seeing signs that not much will be changing. Maybe it isn't too late to call in a pro.


I've had a pro for the last 7-8 years. I like it much betterer than my guesses
 

Thursty

Well-Known Member
Location
Green River
For the last three years I’ve been dealing with grubs, having two dogs and a sprinkler system installed by an absolutely clueless previous owner. It’s been a fun adventure.
 

shortstraw8

Well-Known Member
What about ants, how do you treat for them?
I have put down everything I feel comfortable with having 3 dogs but can't kill them
black flag, slevin (or whatever it is), some natural crap that worked for a few weeks then seemed to only make them stronger. Also going to call a pro unless someone has advice, dogs killed the backyard due to not enough water our first year here, at least that is my guess since it is a little better now that sprinklers are adjusted.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
I've had a pro for the last 7-8 years. I like it much betterer than my guesses


^^This. I tried for a few years at our last place but then a friend and client of mine whom I had worked on many vehicles and bikes started a lawn fertilization company and for the past close to 20 years at the last place and now for the last six years we've been at our new place I've been using him and his son and I know they do a better job than I ever could. I was concered about the poor quality of the front yard when we moved into our new place and after I had him come and look at it he said we could save it and they did. I think it is now one of the best looking yards in our neighborhood and all I do is mow it. I love trimming, edging and mowing my lawn and the outcome from it but I don't want to play chemist and "guess" at what I should be putting on it.

It nothing else, the few bucks I spend a year is peace of mind knowing all I have to do is water and mow it.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
I thought I was done digging in my yard but over the past couple of years I noticed two low spots developing in my back yard. One was under our master bedroom where the contractors dug the trench for my gas line from the main house meter back to the shop. It slowly began settling but this past winter with the heavy snow and wet spring we've had I noticed the other day when I mowed that it was much lower. I also had one similar but but as deep near the gas line by the shop where they backfilled to the foundation so I thought I'd address those last night after mowing.

I was pleased when I arrived home to find that the contractors whom have been installing the fiber optics were just finishing up with our front yard and moving to the neighbor's yard. They actually did a very nice job putting the grass back in place and it seems they even did a good job compacting the areas they dug up.

The only downside is that now I have this ugly box in my park strip. Oh well, I'd take that over the stopsign and I've learned to live with that. They did a nice job putting everything back and making it look nice. A couple of weeks and a few mows and you'll never know they were there.
yard20.jpg

I saw the lead across the street working on my neighbor's and so I walked across the street to tell him and his crew thanks for doing such a nice job in my yard. When I walked up he asked if something was wrong. "No, nothing at all. I just wanted to come over and say thank you for doing such a nice job and cleaning up after yourselves." He was so thankful he said they weren't done yet and they would be by before leaving to pressure wash the sidewalk and lawn. Sure enough about an hour later they were out front cleaning the grass and sidewalk. I was quite impressed.
yard21.jpg

yard22.jpg

After mowing my lawn I sharpened my flat bladed shovel and cut the grass back a few feet around the low spot under the master bedroom on the east side of the house.
yard23.jpg

As well as a smaller spot near the shop's foundation.
yard24.jpg

I put several bags of topsoil down, compacted it and rolled the grass back into place. Looks much better and I'm sure it will settle some as it is a little high but after a couple of weeks and a few mows it should be unnoticeable.
yard25.jpg


After several hours of work I sat on the deck and admired the yard while I ran a couple of zones to water the fresh sod.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
That is a good crew! Usually you are lucky if they get the grass back on the hole right side up!

Agreed. That is why I was so impressed and wanted to make sure to tell them so.

Funny what we accept as "normal" these days. I remember years ago, and not all that many years ago, if someone went well above expectations they were praised and thanked. Nowadays, if someone or a company just simply delivers on expectations we are surprised. I don't consider that progress for society. :mad: And for the record, I actually fully expected to be having to spend time in the front yard redoing much of what was done. I'm thankful I don't have to.
 

zmotorsports

Hardcore Gearhead
Vendor
Location
West Haven, UT
The section that I replaced is starting to fill in nicely. It's only been two weeks now and I'm pleased with the results. The two areas that were low spots where I dug up, rolled the grass back and built up with topsoil then rolled back into place are taking a bit more to recover. One spot by the shop and one by the house that aren't doing quite as good as the section of new sod.

lawn.jpg
 

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
The section that I replaced is starting to fill in nicely. It's only been two weeks now and I'm pleased with the results. The two areas that were low spots where I dug up, rolled the grass back and built up with topsoil then rolled back into place are taking a bit more to recover. One spot by the shop and one by the house that aren't doing quite as good as the section of new sod.

View attachment 160397
You can hit that with starter fertilizer to aid in recovery. Starter fertilizer will not burn the new or recovering grass.
 

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
How do you lawn whispers deal with mushrooms? There's a section of my back yard that I think used to have a tree years ago, so I'm assuming there's decaying roots under the lawn which I understand often times leads to mushrooms.
 

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
How do you lawn whispers deal with mushrooms? There's a section of my back yard that I think used to have a tree years ago, so I'm assuming there's decaying roots under the lawn which I understand often times leads to mushrooms.
Sell them to your hippy neighbors.




There are anti-fungal sprays you can apply.
 
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