Leveling project, 2016 progress
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Leveling project, 2016 progress
Hey all!
For a few years, I've worked a bermuda renovation with the front lawn. Last year was a bit of a wash due to a hectic schedule and went rotary for the season, this season I have more time. Scalped earlier in the season and have cut several times since. Not satisfied with the results and am going to try to tackle leveling.
First step, re-scalped at 7/16"
For a few years, I've worked a bermuda renovation with the front lawn. Last year was a bit of a wash due to a hectic schedule and went rotary for the season, this season I have more time. Scalped earlier in the season and have cut several times since. Not satisfied with the results and am going to try to tackle leveling.
First step, re-scalped at 7/16"
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Contacted the local landscape supply company. A very helpful woman answered my questions ... $30 a ton/ + $70 if I need delivery. I still need to take exact measurements but her calculations were a ton per 400 sq/ft for a 1/4"?
Any input.. Thanks!
Any input.. Thanks!
- Ware
- Posts: 1343
- Joined: March 15th, 2012, 10:07 pm
- Location: Arkansas
- Grass Type: Bermuda
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- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
If possible, I would try to do your math/purchase the sand in cubic yards - not tons. The weight can vary depending on the moisture content of the sand you are buying. A cubic yard of sand is finite. However, if for whatever reason you can't purchase it by the yard, it's not the end of the world.
Here is a simple topdressing calculator.
I put a lot of thought into what my average depth target should be, but based on the experience of myself and others here, I would simply recommend ordering at least one cubic yard per thousand square feet. And don't be afraid to order 10-15% extra.
Good luck!
Here is a simple topdressing calculator.
I put a lot of thought into what my average depth target should be, but based on the experience of myself and others here, I would simply recommend ordering at least one cubic yard per thousand square feet. And don't be afraid to order 10-15% extra.
Good luck!
- Main_sail22
- Posts: 261
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Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
I like Ware's thought process but to answer your point directly, if you want to cover 400 sq ft with a 1/4" of sand, that would equal .31 cubic yards you would need to purchase. If you have 4000 sq ft, order 3.1 cubic yards. Hope this helps.
- Ware
- Posts: 1343
- Joined: March 15th, 2012, 10:07 pm
- Location: Arkansas
- Grass Type: Bermuda
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Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Except I would re-emphasize that you would likely have no problem using 4+ yards of sand on 4k square feet. That $70 delivery fee will eat you up if they have to come back.Main_sail22 wrote:I like Ware's thought process but to answer your point directly, if you want to cover 400 sq ft with a 1/4" of sand, that would equal .31 cubic yards you would need to purchase. If you have 4000 sq ft, order 3.1 cubic yards. Hope this helps.
How large is the area you are leveling?
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
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- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Ware,
Not sure the exact sq/ft, thinking about 2500. Will measure. I also have to sod a piece of the property. Raining hard now, back at it tomorrow.
Thanks for your input!
Not sure the exact sq/ft, thinking about 2500. Will measure. I also have to sod a piece of the property. Raining hard now, back at it tomorrow.
Thanks for your input!
- scottcgrable
- Posts: 185
- Joined: March 17th, 2015, 11:59 am
- Location: Apex, NC
- Grass Type: Bermuda
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- Level: Not Specified
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- Posts: 120
- Joined: May 10th, 2013, 6:07 am
- Location: Holly Springs, NC
- Grass Type: Bermuda
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- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Hi tbh20, good to see ya here again. I'm the guy you met when I picked up a storage unit from your neighbor...
I like to hit it with verticut/slit seeder machine when I scalp as it will help with the leveling and open up the turf for growth, also may require less sand for the next stage of leveling. After that, get a pre emergent down soon after the sand settles in. Soil test to get the needs as well....Those are the steps I would take....
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I like to hit it with verticut/slit seeder machine when I scalp as it will help with the leveling and open up the turf for growth, also may require less sand for the next stage of leveling. After that, get a pre emergent down soon after the sand settles in. Soil test to get the needs as well....Those are the steps I would take....
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- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Steverino,
Thanks for the input! Your yard is immaculate! Will call sunbelt tomorrow to see if a slit seeder is available.
Thanks for the input! Your yard is immaculate! Will call sunbelt tomorrow to see if a slit seeder is available.
-
- Posts: 39
- Joined: April 26th, 2015, 8:38 am
- Location: Raleigh NC
- Grass Type: Bermuda
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Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Also check lowes, they have 1/2 ton contractor sand in a bag for about 30 bucks. Might be able to find a better deal with them on that.
-
- Posts: 120
- Joined: May 10th, 2013, 6:07 am
- Location: Holly Springs, NC
- Grass Type: Bermuda
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
When you call, make sure it has the delta blades for this purpose (rather than flail tines). Thanks on the yard, it has improved so much since I got all the help here on ATY/BL.... I may have to raise up a notch.... I would have liked to cut tonight but the storm came through before I got off work....I'll try to cut tommorow eve if the storms let me....
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- Posts: 679
- Joined: September 24th, 2012, 12:41 am
- Location: Washington, DC
- Grass Type: PRG & KBG (front); TTTF & HKBG (rear)
- Lawn Size: < 1000
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Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Can you specify to the supplier the type of sand you want? There's some debate about granule size, but the general sense I got was that non-uniform, medium-coarse was best. Helps avoid compaction and improves water penetration. BTW, sand can be pretty hard on your blades and power equipment, although iit sounds like you know that already.
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
maynard,
Planning on using Bradsher Landscape Supply. They state they have USGA spec topdressing sand. Thanks for the insight!
Planning on using Bradsher Landscape Supply. They state they have USGA spec topdressing sand. Thanks for the insight!
-
- Posts: 679
- Joined: September 24th, 2012, 12:41 am
- Location: Washington, DC
- Grass Type: PRG & KBG (front); TTTF & HKBG (rear)
- Lawn Size: < 1000
- Level: Some Experience
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
I'm out of my depth here, but I do know that USGA has several specs, with different sand types recommended for greens than for fairways etc. I think the ones for greens are probably too fine for regular turf and could compact too easily. But, obviously, ask them. not me, about all that.tbdh20 wrote:maynard,
Planning on using Bradsher Landscape Supply. They state they have USGA spec topdressing sand. Thanks for the insight!
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Thanks maynard,
I hadn't considered that, not expert, just taking her recommendation. These are my options, http://www.bradsherfarms.com/products/sand. Any opinions are appreciated.
I hadn't considered that, not expert, just taking her recommendation. These are my options, http://www.bradsherfarms.com/products/sand. Any opinions are appreciated.
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
In the (about us tab) they go into a bit more detail.
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- Posts: 679
- Joined: September 24th, 2012, 12:41 am
- Location: Washington, DC
- Grass Type: PRG & KBG (front); TTTF & HKBG (rear)
- Lawn Size: < 1000
- Level: Some Experience
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
If you google USGA Sand topdressing a lot of articles come up, some really technical. FWIW, I've been topdressing with good old Home Depot Sakrette all-purpose sand, which is medium to slightly coarse (it varies from shipment to shipment). About every third mowing I throw the thinnest possible amount (maybe 1/4 bag per 300 sq ft)to slowly build up the sand cap. I haven't had any problems, and the lawn looks pretty healthy so far. Top layers of soil seems to dry out faster, which in my situation(humid, fungus-prone DC), is a good thing.
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
At this point, I have had success growing warm season grasses (a weed and not a accomplishment). I haven't had a soil test yet, would like smooth things out to maintain a lower cut. Last year just dropped a 50/50 mix of milo and partial slow release.
- tbdh20
- Posts: 274
- Joined: April 8th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Grass Type: 419 Front / Empire Back
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Suppression in areas is a bigger task.
- probasesteal
- Posts: 1032
- Joined: March 29th, 2014, 3:39 pm
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
- Grass Type: FRONT: SPF30, NuGlad and Midnight. BACK: Hogan's TTTF with SPF30 HBG
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
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Re: Leveling project, 2016 progress
Good choice, I was going to recommend them.tbdh20 wrote:maynard,
Planning on using Bradsher Landscape Supply. They state they have USGA spec topdressing sand. Thanks for the insight!
I've never bought their sand, but inquired in the past. I like their manure compost.
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