Best advice on unlevel turf

[lot2learnmike]

I have about 4acres of mature grass that was planted over an old somewhat leveled corn field. Had been tilled and somewhat leveled but was seeded before it could be dragged. Now I bought a yard that's like a washboard and extremely rough to cut. I have a yanmar ex3200 with a landpride 72" finish mower. Tried a large zero turn but it beat me to death.
My question is should I invest in a quality box blade and will the box blade smooth out some of the old corn rows. I would hate to have to till and blade the whole 4 acres and start over completely.
Thanks for any advice

 

[SPYDERLK]

If you use a core aerator to bring up cores, then dragging with a small log or preferably railroad tie will naturally scrape the plugs into lo areas, gradually flattening the surface. The turf will love it and your body will too.
larry

 

[Sonny580]

I agree with the core idea!!---may take more than one time over, but try it and see how it goes!---sounds like it should work! thanks; sonny580

 

[lot2learnmike]

Larry and Sonny thank you both. I will try to find one in my area used first, thinking this may take a while. Breaks my heart to have to get on the new tractor and leave worries behind...
Thanks again

 

[Egon]

If you want level you have already stated the method. :thumbsup:

 

[dakotagun]

Good question, great answers. I have a similar situation, was about to start the process of a leveling with my BB knowing it would mean going back to zero pretty quick. Will try to find a core aerator first.

 

[paulemar]

I have about 4acres of mature grass that was planted over an old somewhat leveled corn field. Had been tilled and somewhat leveled but was seeded before it could be dragged. Now I bought a yard that's like a washboard and extremely rough to cut. I have a yanmar ex3200 with a landpride 72" finish mower. Tried a large zero turn but it beat me to death.
My question is should I invest in a quality box blade and will the box blade smooth out some of the old corn rows. I would hate to have to till and blade the whole 4 acres and start over completely.
Thanks for any advice

Until this situation is fixed, if possible, mow with the direction of the old corn rows. That will lessen the washboard effect. When you do aerate with the plug aerator, also go in that same direction. What will happen is that the coring spoons will penetrate deeper and remove more soil from the high spots. I had a similar problem and just used a Brinly 40" pull behind with 2 1/2 cement blocks for weight and went over the 3 acre weed/ grass field 6-8 times. I then used a 4 X 4 chain harrow (spikes up) to break up the plugs and help filter the soil into the lower areas. I over-seeded and went over it again with the harrow, then an empty roller to press in the grass seed. The seed is now up and so are the weeds. I'll kill the weeds in a couple more weeks, but plan to aerate every Spring and Fall because I don't think a totally level field is a one shot deal with just the aerator. It is however, the least disruptive. Don't be afraid to aerate over the same spots a bunch of times. It looks a mess for only a short time and the grass really grows better.