Getting rid of a bumpy 4 acre yard

[Gator6x4]

Maybe get some screened topsoil, and spread/top dress the worst areas, then a piece of chainlink fence as a drag harrow to smooth but not destroy the grass? I'd say it's worth the cost of a 6' section of chain link to test if it'll mess the lawn up.

I agree. Screened top soil for 4 acres though might be a pricey undertaking.

I priced Kentucky 31 grass seed the other day and was shocked to hear $125.00 plus tax per 50 pound bag.

They say 50 pounds of grass seed will cover 10,000 feet. An acre contains 43,560 square feet. So that would indicate 4 and 1 third bags of grass seeds per acre or roughly 2 hundred pounds per acre. So using 2 hundred pounds per acre would cost 500 dollars per acre in grass seeds or 2,000 dollars for grass seed. Then the fertilizer and lime. Dirt is also not cheap per load. Sounds like a expensive project.

 

[ehcrain]

Did a similar project last summer, mine was a field that used to be pasture. Sprayed a few times to kill what was there, disc and till multiple times in different directions, drag with a 4x8 frame behind the tractor and then let nature take its course. Maybe I was lucky due to the high seed count from cutting infrequently through the years but the grass came back fast enough to out compete the clover seeds that I spread. Hard part now is keeping it somewhat flat and smooth.

 

[Cataclysm]

There is no cheap and easy way to do what you are wanting to do, especially in a timely fashion. It takes a lot of power to smooth out that much area. Once you realize that there are some good suggestions in this thread.

I make a living doing this and other type dirt work. A skid steer or tractor with a power rake is one of the few realistic ways to get it smooth. Not inexpensive but it will be as inexpensive as any other way and will actually work.

Depending on what type grass you have it may come back on its own. As mentioned, Bermuda grass will come right back after even aggressive power raking.

Another realistic way is to run a chisel over it then a disc followed by a harrow.

Short of that hauling in topsoil and dragging it out will eventually get it level.

It is a big task. Maybe there is a neighbor nearby with equipment that's willing to help. Best of luck to you.

 

[Egon]

Cultivation and then smoothing is about all that can be reasonably done to smooth a rough lawn. Dirt can be spread but it takes a lot to be able to work it properly smooth.
Consider reducing the size of lawn by converting some of it to native grass/flower cover and not mow it.

 

[bigtiller]

As most everyone has said, work with what you have.
The volume of one inch covering one acre is 3630 cubic feet, or 135 cubic yards
That's a lot of trucks.

 

[JasperFrank]

135 cubic yards. For one acre X 1 inch.

Soil Calculator

Calculate how much soil you need for a landscaping project. Find how many bags, cubic feet, or yards of soil or dirt will fill the area.

www.inchcalculator.com

 

[m7040]

I have a large area that was used to grow alfalfa and is uneven slowing down the mower enough to stand the bucking. My solution was to add a self contained air suspension seat to the mower that allowed a much higher mowing speed. See attached pic

 

[bigtiller]

135 cubic yards. For one acre X 1 inch.

Soil Calculator

Calculate how much soil you need for a landscaping project. Find how many bags, cubic feet, or yards of soil or dirt will fill the area.

www.inchcalculator.com

Oops, my bad. Thanks for catching that.

 

[oneal hicks]

Kill the grass and till the hound out of it then if needed use a section hire with a heave drag behind the hire.

 

[bigtiller]

Kill the grass and till the hound out of it then if needed use a section hire with a heave drag behind the hire.

What?

 

[tstex]

First, what type of grass ?

Second, if you live in OH, you do not have much growing time left this yr do you? In SE TX, we prob would but w this horrible drought, can till concrete....

Lastly, what caused all the ruts in the first place? Will it happen again? Since no one knows that type of grass you have, the whole project depends in deep rooted grass vs 3-6" rooted grass, growing season left, current soil moisture/fertility levels and what implements you have or can access. Until I know this, everything is pure speculation and that's not how I plan projects, esp w potentially series cost implications...I think others have requested that info too.

 

[whitehair]

After 28 years my 4 acre lawn is filled with ruts about 1 to 3 inches deep. Mostly the result of weather and use. Needless to say that mowing the yard is a very bumpy task and makes the task take a lot longer then before. I use a commercial JD zero turn that should let me mow quicker except for the ruts. I have a JD 2305 compact deisel. I really don't want to start all over by removing the grass and using a box blade, land plane, or soil roller, all of which I don't have and can't rent. I do have a 48 inch rotor tiller that would work except it would get rid of the grass which I'm trying to avoid. I'm thinking that just putting down a soil / sand mixture would be the ticket except I can't find any suppliers that have say a 50/50 mix. Getting top soil and sand delivered is do able, but mixing the two would be quite a job. It would take quite a bit of material to fill the ruts, and then drag it out. Any thoughts on how to level a 4 acre yard without starting all over from bare soil would be greatly appreciated. Northeast Ohio weather can be cruel at times.

I’ve got the same exact problem on my 5 acres in Florida that’s seeded in Argentine Bahia. So far I’m considering the tiller option for 1 acre but interested in other suggestions. BTW it’s appears that my ruts were caused by the seed being washed away because it was only broadcasted and not covered IMO

 

[tstex]

Since you have Bahia, it’s extremely hearty and can w stand a variety of inconveniences

You could first lightly disc going the same directions as ruts, the come again perpendicular to ruts to even out, as long as you’re not on an incline w last past going downhill. This option is also dependent on deceit soil moisture w predictable rain in forecast to help booster new growth. Since FL, you’re growing seasons are longer too.

 

[Surshot]

With a red clay yard, when it rains hard the clay turns to feathers on the hills and collects in 4” high ridges going down hill. When it starts to loosen my fillings, I get the Howse 20” cutter head disk out then run back and forth set about 3-4” deep so I do not tear up the plumbing or wiring. Then I drag a 12 ft wide chain link fence gate all over the place, in the spring. So when it rains on the mess, the chopped up half buried grass comes up, nice and level. Let grow 3-4” high and cut, smile a lot. I have 10 acres of this mess, wife’s yard. I would plant corn, bush hog it and have a bird shoot.
Oh Tifton #9 a hybrid Bahia on rolling hills.

 

[dirttoys]

With a red clay yard, when it rains hard the clay turns to feathers on the hills and collects in 4” high ridges going down hill. When it starts to loosen my fillings, I get the Howse 20” cutter head disk out then run back and forth set about 3-4” deep so I do not tear up the plumbing or wiring. Then I drag a 12 ft wide chain link fence gate all over the place, in the spring. So when it rains on the mess, the chopped up half buried grass comes up, nice and level. Let grow 3-4” high and cut, smile a lot. I have 10 acres of this mess, wife’s yard. I would plant corn, bush hog it and have a bird shoot.
Oh Tifton #9 a hybrid Bahia on rolling hills.

LOL My yard is worth more per square than my house. I wanted to rock the whole thing, but then leaderships dog would not have a place to go potty (still craps in the drive way).

I have cut and repaired the sewer line three times in two years

Best,

ed

 

[c50ge]

I agree with several comments. I would steer clear of sand unless you want an ant farm. Top soil is great. Use as a top dressing. You can spread it (thin) with a box blade with the teeth removed. this is the best time of year to do it. 1st of September. Spread a good coat of quality seed and don’t forget starter fertilizer.(I’m in central Illinois - I like tall fescue and cut my grass at about 4 inches to shade out most of the weeds.) you should have a nice yard by Thanksgiving.
I have moles so i too have a bumpy yard.

 

[beenthere]

After 28 years my 4 acre lawn is filled with ruts about 1 to 3 inches deep. Mostly the result of weather and use. Needless to say that mowing the yard is a very bumpy task and makes the task take a lot longer then before. I use a commercial JD zero turn that should let me mow quicker except for the ruts. I have a JD 2305 compact deisel. I really don't want to start all over by removing the grass and using a box blade, land plane, or soil roller, all of which I don't have and can't rent. I do have a 48 inch rotor tiller that would work except it would get rid of the grass which I'm trying to avoid. I'm thinking that just putting down a soil / sand mixture would be the ticket except I can't find any suppliers that have say a 50/50 mix. Getting top soil and sand delivered is do able, but mixing the two would be quite a job. It would take quite a bit of material to fill the ruts, and then drag it out. Any thoughts on how to level a 4 acre yard without starting all over from bare soil would be greatly appreciated. Northeast Ohio weather can be cruel at times.

Rototill and drag smooth, then seed and roll in. Suspect ruts came from driving on when too wet.

 

[Creamer]

It all depends on the yard - if the ruts are all over you are going to have to get very aggressive like Beenthere stated - rototill and start over. I use a chain drag behind my lawnmower. You can pull it backward for less aggressive and forward for more aggressive. Sometimes if I have a particularly bad area I put some weight on the drag to make it even more aggressive. It is amazing how much the yard has smoothed from the roughness caused by rodents and weather ( freeze/thaw) through the years.

 

[oosik]

My two acres of "lawn" is field grass that has been mowed for 40 years. No matter what I do - it still comes back with the fall rains. I've used my LPGS with scarifiers down to smooth out a particularly bumpy section. Works just great.

 

[CalG]

After 28 years my 4 acre lawn is filled with ruts about 1 to 3 inches deep. Mostly the result of weather and use. Needless to say that mowing the yard is a very bumpy task and makes the task take a lot longer then before. I use a commercial JD zero turn that should let me mow quicker except for the ruts. I have a JD 2305 compact deisel. I really don't want to start all over by removing the grass and using a box blade, land plane, or soil roller, all of which I don't have and can't rent. I do have a 48 inch rotor tiller that would work except it would get rid of the grass which I'm trying to avoid. I'm thinking that just putting down a soil / sand mixture would be the ticket except I can't find any suppliers that have say a 50/50 mix. Getting top soil and sand delivered is do able, but mixing the two would be quite a job. It would take quite a bit of material to fill the ruts, and then drag it out. Any thoughts on how to level a 4 acre yard without starting all over from bare soil would be greatly appreciated. Northeast Ohio weather can be cruel at times.

roll it in spring after a good rainy spell.