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> When's the best time to try and level?
Fall, when the temps start to cool a bit so the sun will not destroy the grass as it starts to grow, but still hot enough that the seed germinates. In Oregon, that is probably the first half of Sept.
> How short should my grass be when I start leveling?
Scalp it. You want to stunt the existing grass to allow the seed to get started and compete. Also makes it easier to rake in the compost.
> How much soil/sand mixture should I try and put on at once?
Depends how much new grass vs old grass you want. If you are heavily overseeding, put as much no as you want. Basically you will get a new yard. If you want to retain the old grass, 1/4" to 1/2" is about all I would recommend.
> How often can I add layers?
Once a year is what I did.
> Should I aerate the lawn before trying to level?
You certainly can and some recommend it.
> Should I overseed before leveling?
After applying compost and as part of last raking/leveling operation.
Get a landscape rake like this: https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-10036-Aluminum-Landscape-36-Inch/dp/B0000C1XMY
If you have a tractor, I pulled an upside down palette around with weight on it to spread and breakup compost.
If you lawn is terrible and not worth saving, consider hiring someone to come in and run a power rake over it and just restart from scratch. That will level it out.
EDIT: this is what I mean by a power rake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_HSxG2H2Q4, not one of those little walk behind things (they are useful for other reasons).
Flexrake 1000L Hula-Ho Weeder Cultivator with 54-Inch Wood Handle More information: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGOBSQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_M08C5X2K0SKVXYQJ9BV3
Maybe start with a smaller garden..Soil amendment is first step.
I love me a good landscape rake. If you ever have to level any dirt surface that's wider than about 4 feet, this is the tool. Also for spreading out wood chips.
Save yourself the noise and cost if its purely about pet hair. Look into getting a carpet rake. Got one for a buddy who has 2 huskies and he loves it.
I found theseat an estate sale and I use them to fan things off my moss. They work great.
Most people don't need to do it unless they have a super thick warm season grass like zoysia or a fungal type problem. It dries out the soil and stresses the hell out of the grass. In addition, that thatch layer is a host to beneficial bacteria and insects, it breaks down into nitrogen and fertilizes the grass. Thatch typically builds up from over fertilization of the grass to begin with.
If you do end up dethatching, a hand rake is much more gentle on the yard.
I can't speak to warm-season grass; never dealt with it. Generally, though, my plan is to aerate, topdress, and overseed regularly and use one of these doo hickeys to level out the topdressing.
Compost breaks down and sand doesn't. So it's a balance between using compost and fertilizer to enrich the soil and sand to level out the bumps. The leveling tool helps ensure the topdressing gets spread in between the bumps left from erosion, and that way the sand helps level everything.
So I’ve tried the rubber kind and the work well but at very tiring to use. We’ve switched to the clear, hard plastic bristled one and find that it works really well to dislodge the fur from deep in the carpet before vacuuming. I find it works best if you drag it in one direction the and then in the opposite direction like an X pattern. Roberts 70-127-3 Carpet Rake & Groomer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019S15R68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VDH22ME0P62PW3KZMS4F this is the one we use
There's a similar leaf collecting claw product that is practical enough to justify buying as an adult.
Can't speak to this brand, but here's an example https://www.amazon.com/MEKKAPRO-Scoops-Ergonomic-Grabbers-Removal/dp/B07RFKCV83/ref=asc_df_B07RFKCV83
i use one of these, it works perfectly :)
skip the peat moss. just use wheel barrow and rake. or buy the below
Would it be absolutely stupid to scarifier/dethatch right now?
Southern California/TTTF
So I had a new irrigation installed on an existing lawn and there are 2-5 inch clumps of dirt and unevenness everywhere. Would it be a terrible able to do a low setting scarifer/dethatch to break up the dirt ?
Some parts of the lawn are completely covered with spread out dirt, I've used a groundskeeper, but its still too much
24 soil temps are about 50 degrees. of course no snow here
thanks
Haha. From Amazon:
> Use to spread mulch and fine rock, de-thatch small grassy areas, rake leaves, groom sand traps
Good on you, sir.
Yes. I'd go with the Groundskeeper II. It is still a lot of work if you have a large lawn but it does a better job at pulling up thatch and debris than any other rake I have ever used.
You might also take a look at a Hula hoe as well: http://www.amazon.com/Flexrake-1000L-Hula-Ho-Cultivator-54-Inch/dp/B000UGOBSQ
They work really, really well by simple raking the end through weeds.