How do I change a wild brushy patch to a lawn? (lawns, growing)
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Attached is what the area look like now. May not be apparently from the pic but the vegetation is 1-2' high. I would like to kill/remove everything on it now and change it to a lawn. Can any one suggest the most efficient way to accomplish that?
I would like to replace it with something like "Eco Lawn" which supposedly needs little maintenance.
How big is this area? Can you get machinery in there? If it's not that big an area, grab a shovel and start digging a small section at a time. Might take a few weekends, but it will get done eventually. Or if you can, rent a small backhoe, and hopefully finish it in one day.
Attached is what the area look like now. May not be apparently from the pic but the vegetation is 1-2' high. I would like to kill/remove everything on it now and change it to a lawn. Can any one suggest the most efficient way to accomplish that?
I would like to replace it with something like "Eco Lawn" which supposedly needs little maintenance.
Do you have a mower? Is that area rocky or has many large, exposed roots? If it doesn't; just grab any rotary gas mower. For the first time it is best that you walk where you cannot 'see' taking baby steps to find any hidden obstacles. Mow slow and go around problem areas. When you get the bulk of the mowing done; go back with shove/pickaxe/metal digging bars or whatever it takes to remove stones and roots. The roots you might want to cover with more topsoil. You will learn quickly what you can mow and what you have to avoid - avoid all solid objects (stones and roots) because they can damage your mower. However; it is amazing what most gas rotary mowers will 'mow'.
Some of the areas mowed will eventually turn to lawns without any help. Other areas will need seed, lime or fertilizer. Many states have agricultural extension services that will provide cheap soil test and tell you specifically what is lacking in you soil for a great lawn.
As others have asked: the size of the plot and it's location, both in terms of climate & proximity to neighbors can make a difference in what you do with it.
A small plot can be turned over with a digging fork (or rent a roto-tiller), smoothed with a rake and planted. Many weeds & grasses will try to come back and need hand weeding for a while.
Don't be afraid to just nuke the area with Round-Up (glyphosate): it's not nearly as dangerous as religious fanatics make it out to be. Just be careful of over-spray getting on neighbors' yards or on any vegetation you may want to save. Within a few days after application, the area is not only cleared, but ready for safely planting. It works well and breaks down quickly. That's why it's a preferred herbicide.
Most lawn seed mixtures are combinations of blue grass & fescue. Eco Lawn is apparently a mix of various fescue strains that require less watering and is slower growing-- I doubt it will need much less attention than more typical mixes.
Depending on your climate, have you considered ground covers, low maintenance perennials & shrubs in an English Garden style, rather than putting in only lawn?
Thanks for the info. The area is about 500 sqft. I'm in Mendocino county CA. So the objective is to till or dig enough to kill current vegetation?
What if I lay something on top? Say a layer of weed guard plus some paver, in this case can I simply trim to the root level without disturbing the dirt?
500sf is tiny: just cover the area with plastic or cardboard--the plastic will bake the area to death or the cardboard will shut out lite and any vegetation will die quickly.
Replace the area with whatever grows naturally around you: a common mistake is to try to turn a plot in a hot, dry climate into a New England style lawn & garden.
All the above is good advice, tilling, papering and roundup. Biggest factor though is grass selection. Make sure what you get is matched to your sun/shade, use (football fields use different grass than do not walk on park areas) and climate.
New England style? Mine is mostly weeds. But they're green and mow nicely.
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