Renovating Yard Around Pond

wejohnson · Apr 17, 2009

I put in a pond a few years back, and the soil from the pond was spread and graded around the pond. Over the years, this has settled and cracked and is now almost impossible to mow without being thrown off the tractor.

Last year I purchased a 2320, and would like to use this to try and fix the problem. From a couple of hours spent reading on this site, I think the answer is either a box blade, or a tiller, or both. I'm leaning toward the box blade, which seems to be a one-tool-does-lots option. So... some questions:

QUESTION ONE - I was told by a landscaper friend that I need to kill the sod first, then scrape it all off (I'm guessing with a box blade), then resurface and seed the area. My question is, if I use the box blade, do I really have to kill the sod first? Can I just use the blade to tear it up and level it all out, and then maybe a landscape rake to remove any remnants of sod before reseeding?

QUESTION TWO - I have a lot of stumps on my property - most in the 6 inch diameter or smaller range. Would you pull these out with a box blade, or is that asking too much of the attachment?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bill

EddieWalker · Apr 17, 2009

Bill,

Welcome to TBN.

If I understand this correctly, the ground around the pond is uneven. Your goal is to smooth it out so that you can mow it and that it looks nice.

The problem is two fold. Moving dirt around creates loose dirt. Getting loose dirt to stay in place and become solid dirt is a science. It doesn't happen by mistake. It has to be worked, or let sit long enough for Mother Nature to fix it.

The second problem is getting the dirt covered so it doesn't erode. Rain is always going to be your enemy until you get the bare ground covered. By killing and removing the grass that you have growing there now, you are opening yourself up for more erosion.

If it was me, and this is what I've done, I would fill in the low spots with good top soil. I'd then drive over that soil with my tires over and over again. Get it good and hard. Since it's rainy season, I'd use that money you were going to spend on a box blade and cover the soil with sod.

Don't try to do it all at once, but break it down into manageable fixes. Fix one area at a time and then move on to the next. It's one of those types of jobs that doesn't have a quick, easy tool to do it with, and by trying to do it all at once, you risk being off worse then before you started. If it rains on you, it will be allot worse!!!!

Good luck,
Eddie

wejohnson · Apr 18, 2009

Thanks for the reply, Eddie. I had considered the method you mention as well. No doubt, it would be less drastic. It might also help me convince my wife to let me buy the FEL for my 2320, so I could move the dirt!

Bill

fishfighter · Apr 18, 2009

What I did was haul in dirt to fill sink holes. If you don't want to go that way,you could always drag a set of disks,chopping the ground and then spreed the dirt.

As far as stump removal with a box blade that is 6" or smaller,no,I'm not a fan of doing that with that equipment. I had used a middle buster plow to rip them out in the past which work out fine.

Runner · Apr 19, 2009

I also agree with Eddie's method of fixing the rough stuff. I've had to do this in an area where I have a lot of water flowing and could only do it in sections by diverting the water for awhile while I got the new grass started.

As for the stumps, I would think trying to pull a stump with a box blade on a compact/subcompact tractor would just stop it cold. I rented a stump grinder and it worked out well for me. Only cost $34/ hour or so.

wejohnson · Apr 21, 2009

I ended up pulling most of the stumps with a chain attached to the drawbar. Worked ok for the little ones. Bigger ones required a bit of hacking with an axe before they would pull free.

Sounds like the leveling will be an all summer project.

Thanks again for the advice!

Bill

Maxfli · Apr 26, 2009

I have a JD 2210 (lot like yours) and lots of 6"stumps. It is hard on the tractor getting them out. I don't know if it will work, but I am going to make an 8' tee out of a 4 x 6" treated lumber, place it close to the stump with a chain, and the pull on the top of the T with a tow strap. I figure the addition of leverage will help me getting them out, if not I have little invested. Get the loader, it is a life saver around the house. I moved 15 yards of mulch around the other night, without the loader I most certainly would have had to hire it out.

JMER817 · Apr 27, 2009

Rent a stump grinder to grind down the stumps. Or bring in some topsoil to spread and cover. Rent a harley rake if you can in your area. Spread grass sead and then cover with a straw blanket.

buck12 · Apr 28, 2009

Eddie is giving you good advice. I bought a house on a pond about four years ago and paid to have dirt work done to the pond bank. I was too cheap to sod the bank instead I seeded the bank several times that summer and each time watched my seed wash into the pond after each heavy rain. I wound up sodding the ruts and it is still rough today. Each summer I tackle a small area and use much the same tactic described by Eddie.