skip to main content

Lawn destroyed after installation of pool -help

16 years ago

After installing an inground pool in my yard, the grass has been destroyed. I know I have to use a tiller (don't even know what it is)to start from scratch, but don't know what to do about fertilizer there are some patches of grass that are now sandboxes. In addition, half of the yard is shady so I'm not sure of the grass type. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. Here is the link to the pictures which are worth 1,000 words: Jane

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of the lawn

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

fish43512
16 years ago
I am far from an expert but I thought I would give my 2 cents.

I am guessing from the picture that there is still more work to be done yet around the pool as I see there is no sidewalk. I also see you might have some erosion already.

With those two in mind, I would plant some annual ryegrass at first to at least help stop the erosion. Ryegrass grows in rather quickly. This also will not grow back next year.

This fall after the sidewalk is put in (just before labor day), plant the grass that matches the rest of your lawn. Fall is the best time to plant. If we had a close up picture of your grass, we may be able to help identify that for you. Perennial ryegrass and fescue are possible grasses that would work in that area. Also, I don't think you would need a tiller to break up the dirt since that has already been done when the pool was installed. You should only have to give it a good raking to level out the soil. Then apply the seed and water. You can also lightly spread grass clippings from the other areas of the lawn over top of the seed. They will decompose quickly and add nitrogen to the soil. You may want to assist the growth by adding synthetic starter fertilizer or organic fertilizers to the area. Most people on here will tell you organic is the way to go and if you hunt around you can find which is the best for new lawn as most organics take a while to see results as they have to be broken down by the microbes in the soil.

You may also want to consider some ground cover other than grass (clover is an example) due to the slope. It may make it easier for you to mow and still keep the soil from eroding.
0
Related Discussions
'best' riding lawn mower or lawn tractor up to $1000 ?
Q
Comments (63)
Must of been lucky. Bought an MTD at Ace hardware (Ace Special Edition) with a 42" cut and 16hp Tecumseh. Aside from the normal problems of your MTD of that era IE having the grille mounts break off after a few years) it's been great, and it was only replaced as it was really starting to not work well on hills, and in the last year has been a case of "What's going to break next when I mow?". A key to remember is any NEW tractor in that range is going to be light duty. If you have more an acre to mow with it, a newer, higher end, used model is a probably a better option. You'll get a lot of life out of one though if you keep it well maintained. Take care of it and there is no reason why you should not get a good, usable life of about 10-12 years. one other thing to keep in mind; the chief complaints of many people on a mower it seems is the motor. That is the most important part of a mower besides the transmission on a Hydro equipped tractor. The engine is going to what will go wrong 9 time out of 10 on a mower, and is often going to be to blame for issues with cutting (due to lack of power) and reliability.
...See More
What haven't the Japanese Beetles destroyed in your yard
Q
Comments (18)
About 3-4 years ago I applied Milky Spore. It takes a few years before it has ultimate impact. Last year I had a lot more beetles that completely defoliated Polygonum amplexicaule 'Firetail'. The crape myrtles sited in afternoon sun were also hit hard. I haven't seen Japanese beetles on these plants this year. There were quite a few beetles on Rosa glauca and a hanging basket of New Guinea Impatiens in previous weeks. From what I've heard, there is some sort of trail left behind so beetles re-visit the same spots. Each day I picked off and crushed the beetles which were subsequently eaten by the catbirds. For about one week I've not seen any Japanese beetles in my garden. While visiting a garden in Lancaster County, I was told by the owner that Virginia creeper kept the beetles out of her garden. That vine was severely eaten and was growing on the side of the barn, far enough away from her perennial beds.
...See More
letting your lawn go to 'sleep' during drought
Q
Comments (15)
Thanks for that tip, David! I googled sod webworms, and found a site or two that explained/described them and had some suggestions for how to identify if you have them: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/sodwebworm.html. I first went around and looked closely at the grass/soil, but could not find the signs they said to look for. I then did the soapy water test, but didn't see any of the caterpillars (larvae) come to the surface. I did see one adult moth, but they say that doesn't necessarily mean you have the caterpillars as the moths will fly quite some distance. I then took my hand spade/fork and chopped into some various areas to look under the grass about an inch or so, to see if I saw any grubs, caterpillars, etc. that could be the cause. But only found some ants and earwigs. I don't think either of those could cause damage to the lawn. So I am still at a loss, but will continue to look for any signs of the webworms or grubs. Or I may try to find some of the biological bacteria the sites talk about for killing the larvae and treat it anyway. The sites also mention types of grasses that are more resistant to the webworms (types of ryegrass and fescue). So possibly overseeding this fall with these or other hardier grass(like the Reveille blend that Amester mentioned, or others in the thread you linked to David) may be an answer. I am interested in the EZ Wet and Field Magic that Bob_In_Colorado has posted about and may try some of that - for a smaller sized area, though, as this much lawn area has proven to me to be too expensive to maintain (both with $$ on water, and time!).
...See More
Request for advice redoing the deck around fiberglass pool
Q
Comments (3)
You are not going to be able to pour a thin amount of cement to level it off, it won't work, concrete needs to be at least 2 inches thick. You could try drilling holes in existing concrete and installing tap cons, binding them with wiring, and pouring a thin layer, but it's a lot of work, and high risk! I think your first Idea "prying up existing slabs" is your best bet. Other than that, you will probably have to put a sleeve in for the skimmer. If you don't care about a higher deck, pour a new deck at least two inches thick all the way around, be sure to include expansion joints if needed, but where you have a fiberglass pool and it hasn't popped out of the ground you probably don't need expansion joints. Then put new stones right over the new pour. Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Service
...See More

Related Stories

PETS 5 Finishes Pets and Kids Can’t Destroy — and 5 to Avoid

By Christine Tusher

Save your sanity and your decorating budget by choosing materials and surfaces that can stand up to abuse

MOST POPULAR 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire

By Alison Hodgson

Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Sod

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Take the quick-start route to turf with sod; these installation guidelines will help ensure a healthy and long-lasting lawn

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Install a Urinal at Home?

By MyFixitUpLife show

Wall-mounted pit stops are handy in more than just man caves — and they can look better than you might think

GARDENING GUIDES How to Install a Drip Irrigation System

By Marianne Lipanovich

Save time and water with a drip watering system in your vegetable garden — a little patience now will pay off later

MATERIALS The Most Popular Roofing Material is Affordable and Easy to Install

By Matt Clawson

Asphalt shingles, the most widely used roof material in the U.S. are reliable and efficient, and may be right for you

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

Sponsored

Red Pine Landscaping

Industry Leading Landscape Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

plastic netting implanted in lawn!

2

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Plastic netting in lawn starter

3

ultrasonic rat devices

0

GNATS… PLEASE HELP!

1