chicken or egg? sprinklers or seed or landscape or.... (house, landscaping)

[Shwa]

There are so many helpful posters here.... I really value this awesome resource! My question du jour is..... Our new property (new construction) is starting to resemble a dessert(with the exception of weeds and some sparse rye grass from the builder's seeding a few months ago). We have been told that there's really no way to salvage the grass we have and are better off killing it off at the end of the summer and starting again with better seed. However, we need to have a sprinkler system installed first (we are told). Another "however" is that we are not sure of future plans for landscaping, patio, pavers, pool, etc. and are facing a "chicken or egg" situation and don't know which should come first. Can anyone out there clarify the best order to get things done (within a budget.... can't do it all right now)? Thanks.

[BobKovacs]

Well, putting in underground sprinklers would be a waste of money if you're going to be adding pools, patios, etc., in the near future. They're also not usually necessary in NJ, as the rainfall is usually adequate to keep a lawn looking pretty good. Since you're planning on making changes later, I'd probably just till what's there, add some additional topsoil (the builder probably just planted over the crappy soil that was there), have the area hydroseeded, and water it manually with hoses/sprinklers for a few weeks until the lawn takes. Once you've made all of your improvements, you can put in a sprinkler system if you find that you really need it.

[Stone28]

I'm in the almost same situation. I want to put in an inground pool when my little ones get bigger. First I should tell you that I'm down the shore and people use stones and sand they also use grass. I want something low maintance. So I'm going with sand in the back yard which is a lot less expensive than stone and stone in the front of the house.

Heres what might intrest you. I went to a few landscapers for quotes and they came both came back with around $10,000.00 for the complete job. The thing is the material was only about four thousand and the rerst was labor and were only talking a few days worth. Thats when I started looking online in the "how to' and its all pretty simple. So I'm going to do the work myself. So if you can do it yourself you'll save a lot!!!!

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by Shwa

There are so many helpful posters here.... I really value this awesome resource! My question du jour is..... Our new property (new construction) is starting to resemble a dessert(with the exception of weeds and some sparse rye grass from the builder's seeding a few months ago). We have been told that there's really no way to salvage the grass we have and are better off killing it off at the end of the summer and starting again with better seed. However, we need to have a sprinkler system installed first (we are told). Another "however" is that we are not sure of future plans for landscaping, patio, pavers, pool, etc. and are facing a "chicken or egg" situation and don't know which should come first. Can anyone out there clarify the best order to get things done (within a budget.... can't do it all right now)? Thanks.

I also purchased new construction that had absolutley no lawn!!! The lawn is/was my last priority. I put the pool in first..then some landscaping, etc. And never touched the lawn. To my surprise..I have a lawn now.. not a great lawn but it'll do for now. It takes 5 yrs to establish a lawn without assistance. This year, now that all the trees are in... I'm going to weed, feed and seed the lawn come fall. My neighbor does this every year and I must say..my lawn looks almost as good as his and I've yet to really have done anything with it! Do everything else first then work on the lawn.

[MoorestownResident]

Many builders will strip the topsoil and leave what's left behind. High quality seed is always better than sod. I suggest you pay a landscaper to strip the lawn completely, put down new topsoil and seed. Normally best time to seed is Spring and early Fall, you can do it in summer but be prepared to water it twice a day, morning and early evening for about 2 weeks. Once lawn is established roughly 6 weeks, cut it and put down Scotts starter fertilizer treatment. If you want a green lawn in the hot summer months you have to water and fertilize. I have lots of shade and still need to water. Sprinklers are a good idea and will make your life much easier but agree with Bob, do them last, not first since you have other projects. Grass needs about an inch of water per week. In July/August, we don't normally get a lot of rain. You should use the Scotts treatment for crabgrass and general weed and feed 2-3 times a year at a minimum for maintenance. Always cut the grass a bit higher in the summer since that puts less stress on the grass. A nice lawn takes some time and effort.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Many builders will strip the topsoil and leave what's left behind. High quality seed is always better than sod. I suggest you pay a landscaper to strip the lawn completely, put down new topsoil and seed. Normally best time to seed is Spring and early Fall, you can do it in summer but be prepared to water it twice a day, morning and early evening for about 2 weeks. Once lawn is established roughly 6 weeks, cut it and put down Scotts starter fertilizer treatment. If you want a green lawn in the hot summer months you have to water and fertilize. I have lots of shade and still need to water. Sprinklers are a good idea and will make your life much easier but agree with Bob, do them last, not first since you have other projects. Grass needs about an inch of water per week. In July/August, we don't normally get a lot of rain. You should use the Scotts treatment for crabgrass and general weed and feed 2-3 times a year at a minimum for maintenance. Always cut the grass a bit higher in the summer since that puts less stress on the grass.

Good advice but may I add one more thing? When you order topsoil..get the "black" stuff... Tell the vendor that you are newly seeding - they'll know what you mean : )

[RobRiguez]

yup getting my lawn ready for this fall exactly by what everyone here is saying. Ive been clearing the land and pulling bushed and hedges and small saplings that have spring up. Previous ownere did NOTHING in the way of lawncare/landscaping except cutting the green weeds they called a lawn. So, 1/4 of my lot is dirt and dead weeds. The other half i'm still pulling hedges out then I will be tilling, raking out all the old weeds/grass, 3" of new black topsoil and water, water, water. I did the same along the side of my house in early spring and its gorgeous!! I'll spread some more seed and aerate the side lawn when I do the front and hopefully by next fall I'll be full green and thick and lovely. I cant wait.

[MoorestownResident]

That's how you do it. I did the same thing last year, prior owner didn't know what he was doing. Now I have great property, people marvel at the improvement. It was hard work but it paid off. You'll get great satisfaction like I did.

[Roselvr]

Your builder didn't sod the front & hydroseed the back? Most builders do.

I actually think you should do the sprinkler 1st, but after you cut out any gardens. We are most likely going to install one as well, a neighbor with bigger property got quotes of $3,500 - $3,800. Not sure if we will zone the whole yard, then worry about re-routing later if need be.

You can put a sprinkler in the front & house sides, leave the back without since you may be doing a pool/deck. I think this is how I would do it, we also need a deck but just moved in, won't be adding it for a while. Right now we are watering the sod a lot, it is the pits to keep moving the sprinkelers.

If at some point you want to sod not seed, make sure you put down a decent top soil.

What I used to do at my old house was add garden dirt to the patches of lawn that I want grass, it eventually started filling in. When we put the house on the market I went to TruValue & picked up quick lawn. Great stuff. The grass was thick & lush.