3 Simple Tips to Fix Compacted Soil

[@ughjordon9232]

My yard is extremely hard and the amount of rocks in it is horrible! The grass I put down a couple years ago just didn’t root deep enough and eventually just died off. Gonna try what you did since I have the same issue with compacted soil. Great simple video btw!

[@DaddingAllDay]

I'm always uncovering rocks in my yard, especially out back. These methods will help, but it may be an ongoing process. Good luck and thank you for watching!!

[@isaacmartinez442]

Did it work?

[@cro2510]

Another step farther, ditch witch that area around the driveway or where adding new grass that's died before. Brother went four feet, filled 3 with manure mulch. Then with soil test results, he added amendments wood chips two parts with the soil left. Know he soaked and covered it with painters plastic for weeks before laying down new grass. If you're on a budget, and short of time. Here's what we came up for my parents and it's coming along nicely. We have them place 8 inch flower pots in a square and pour water to contain where it should be, boiling it if there's ants. Then if lucky, can use a post hole digger or if not a garden fork and shovel. First year made it around the carport, walk, and "improved" the entire front yard fence perimeter and at request a future strip around around the house like brothers. Just did 2x4 strips as deep as couple hours allowed and only added wood chips covering with all the dirt minus slag that was returned to carports. Forward three years, that strip around the perimeter with great grand opas roses were done. Worked in 3x3 sections around the roses and in their season, dug out the bulbs for drying or replanting. Still working on that strip around the house, the roofing company had all sorts of headaches with that softer soil. Other side effects have been, worms; after the first rain they were just wow! Since, I was able to go around twice completely and in spots where busy dogs dogs... as needed. Well at the beginning ants weren't returning, it was explained recently in a video short because the soil can't hold together for their caves / mounds. By using the correct wood chips termites, roaches and scorpions were repelled. I'm not doing this to four feet, carefully around the fruit trees and depending on the roots of roses stopped at about 18 as the waterline freezes about 16 here, unless comes across slab rocks too bigg bother with. I did employ busy children sorting rocks out, if they filled up a kitchen trash can they went out to eat or movies. Less was while I was restoring and the littles were napping. The eldest took opa for buying something special - the kids already agreed on. Then he would select a few movies for a choice to buy. We have a few retaining walls, so when some were loose, worked the bigger stones out; filled in with rubble and replaced them. Oh, the nursery advised redoing every ten years or so; to keep it steady. We do add mix of wood ash, meal scraps and homemade bone meal. Collect the unwanted dogs bones and burn them in the coals overnight during the winter. Can either bake for three hours at three hundred? Had success layering them on metal roof for weeks too. Depending on their size, wear PPE, crush with eight pound sledgehammer. Thumb sized pieces let dry another couple weeks or rebake. Other might go through blender ok. Work with what you've got, blessings br.

[@cro2510]

Left letter, I didn't attach to you directly by accident. Hopefully it's useful.

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

Fun video dude! Had a viewer ask me about black cow and leveling, never tried it but glad to see you like it

[@DaddingAllDay]

It's not good for leveling. However, it's great for the soil!

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

@@DaddingAllDay oh really? i should prolly mention that to him haha

[@DaddingAllDay]

It will be level for a season, maybe, but then it will just breakdown.

[@lakehouselawncare1755]

Very well done, Chuck! To the point and easy to understand.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you sir!!

[@lazarusgrey4866]

Addressing focal areas of compaction instead of core aeration of the entire lawn is a great idea! So glad I watched this 🌱👍🌱

[@DaddingAllDay]

Lazarus, you've risen! I haven't seen you in a while. How are you? Localized aeration is a great way to go about it.

[@lazarusgrey4866]

Good to be back! I’m doing pretty well 😊. I’m ready for the snow to melt and get back outside 🌱🌞🌱

[@LawnJourneys]

Great start look forward to watching progress around the yard.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you very much! Right back at you. It's going to be a fun season.

[@420_9R8R]

Thanks bro, after a more than a few years of drought out here in Cali I find myself with both front and back yard being compacted and so far been difficult getting garden going. Think this will help tremendously, thanks again 👍🏻

[@DaddingAllDay]

You're welcome! Hopefully things turn around. Water beforehand if possible. That will help a lot with super compacted soil. Good luck!

[@michaellopez6379]

Since I’m wanting to seed an area like this in my yard, would I go thru this process then add the seed? Also what do you use for the feed?

[@obsessedwithlawnoddswithgr2092]

ty for sharing brother

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you for watching!

[@UrbanDadLife2024]

Great video Chuck, great way to start a Sunday morning..great information explained perfectly

[@DaddingAllDay]

Much appreciated bud!

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

Very well done Chuck. 👊🏼

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thanks bud! I appreciate it!

[@TurfCulture]

I found value in this video, therefore I gave it a thumbs up. Step #4 water.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Yes! I made sure to put that in the text at the end... close one! Thank you sir!

[@graceortiz9494]

Three good points. What liquid fertdidvyou use?

[@DaddingAllDay]

I used GreenePOP 16-21-2.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you for watching Grace!

[@SunnyBermuda]

☀️Top notch video, Chuck!! Enjoyed it 👍😎

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you bud! Much appreciated.

[@TheRealLawnFather]

I really enjoyed this video, very well done!

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you sir! Thanks for watching.

[@TheLawnLover]

Well done video! Great tips!

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching.

[@Striperman]

👍Just what the lawn doctor ordered .👍

[@DaddingAllDay]

Dr. DAD here to help! Lol!

[@buster7618]

The poop kiss was really something. Subbed.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Hahahahaha!!!

[@lanieroutside]

Great tip on the black kow it works. Love that stuff too! Bet people walking by the drive might be causing that compaction? Look forward to seeing the results.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Oh definitely. It's just from the kids and whomever else walking to the front door. It was a super compacted area before the renovation and I didn't really take care of it.

[@LawnNOrder]

Great work Chuck. I love my Corona Aerator. I too am dealing with a couple of compaction spots this season. 😎🌴👊

[@DaddingAllDay]

It was my first time using it and it's awesome!

[@theCastleberry]

Well done good sir! I also SMASHED the link button so hard I cracked the screen. Keep on keeping on!

[@DaddingAllDay]

I do not take responsibility for cracked screens due to smashing too hard. Lol! Thanks for watching bud!

[@BudgetLawns]

Solid explanations buddy! I need to give the ole black cow a spin one day. Keep up the good work!

[@DaddingAllDay]

I love it so much that I'll openly kiss bags of poop. Thank you for watching bud!

[@BudgetLawns]

@@DaddingAllDay 😂😂😂

[@tonymckim2274]

Thank you for this video, exactly what I needed to watch to help me fix my lawn.

[@DaddingAllDay]

I'm glad to hear it. Good luck.

[@JorgeHerrera-je6dc]

My lawn clogs the Corona tubes instead of purging out the previous dirt each time. I had to stop and manually unclog. I ended up having to hammer down the step and bent it. I don't know what to do with my lawn I ddnt get to far and my soil is still super hard. My 1rst attempt was just seed over and top soil My 2nd attempt I rototilled, seeded, topsoiled. 3rd attempt I raked in seeds and topsoiled. My seeds start to take, but even with good nutrient soil it still dies off and overcomes with weeds in the end Maybe getting a machine operated aerator may be the way to go?

[@DaddingAllDay]

I would do a good aeration with a machine, plus lots of liquid aeration.

[@sabinewannabe4131]

Thanks

[@AustinFoe]

I'm terrible working on my lawn. Aerated last year and applied some winterguard to get a better start in spring. Unfortunately haven't had the time and got injured so I can't lift more than a lb for next 2 months. Lawn still hard compacted, weeds everywhere, grass dying, tons of holes, got a long way to go.

[@DaddingAllDay]

It's tough to turn around a lawn in one season. Heck, once you turn it around stuff will still happen.

[@danhd.8313]

If you couldn't push a screw driver through the ground, how would you be able to do that with the aerator tool? I have compacted clay soil, and I could barely get 1 - 2 inches into the ground jumping on a similar aerator tool. I had to take a power drill and drill holes in the yard.

[@WholeMyDih]

Great vid! It's a little too late for me to plant grass in our new home here in California so I'm prepping our compacted dirt in the backyard in the meantime. So I'm tilling and cultivating the ground to break it all up. Any tips on keeping the soil healthy while i wait for september to plant the seeds?

[@DaddingAllDay]

Apply compost and other soil ammendments. Water every once in a while, just so it doesn't get too dry.

[@nointro]

Thumbs and subs because you told me the info I literally couldn’t find anywhere else!

[@DaddingAllDay]

Fantastic!!

[@nointro]

@@DaddingAllDay indeed!

[@jaymetheaccountant]

Great content Chuck! Any thoughts of using sand instead of compost? Seems that it’s not as dense as compost?

[@DaddingAllDay]

You are definitely right about the denseness of compost, but sand doesn't hold moisture as well as compost. So the "theory" is that the compost will feed microbes in the soil to help loosen it up.

[@jaymetheaccountant]

@@DaddingAllDay makes sense to me Chuck - so many options wanted to clarify the benefits of the Black Kow 🐄

[@gabrielware2777]

15 cores per square foot isnt that going to end up beingg something like caring the whole square foot?😭😂 thank you for your video i have a tool that is similar but im not sure if it will be sufficient. Instead of 2 open cylinders to punch holes, my tool head is a fabrication of 4 metal "blades" that are bent downward and slice the ground open . wanted to ask you for your opinion

[@shocker14369]

great video. thanks man! Keep up the great work!

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you!

[@liveyourbestlawn]

Hey Chuck, any opinion on a spike aerator vs core aerator? I have a handheld spike but wondering if while the hole is being made, the dirt is being pushed out around the spike, further compacting. Great video.

[@DaddingAllDay]

I'm not a fan of spike aerators for that reason. While it's creating the hole and nutrients can get to the rootzone, it's compacting the areas near the hole.

[@TheLawnShark]

Good stuff! This TN clay kinda sucks here too. Aerate, compost, and sand!

[@DaddingAllDay]

Absolutely!!

[@sb.training]

Thanks Chuck. Could I follow this same process when planting grass in the fall?

[@DaddingAllDay]

Absolutely! Works really well.

[@rexxxxxxxxx]

Thanks for sharing, I have some compaction areas, can I do it during summer? Or shall I wait to fall or next spring?

[@DaddingAllDay]

You can do it now in preparation for the fall.

[@michaelscott181]

Isn't the compacted soil around the driveway good to keep the driveway from shifting and cracking over time?

[@DaddingAllDay]

It it was compacted with like concrete or something under the surface. However, most homes in my neighborhood, there is no difference in the soil near the driveway and middle of the lawn. The only reason it's compacted is due to the constant traffic of walking on it, in the same spots.

[@rong648]

I used Dawn dish soap as a surfactant. I put about a 1/2 cut in my hose sprayer, filled the rest of the sprayer with water and walked the yard.

[@DaddingAllDay]

That is a good alternative.

[@kcsundar104]

What’s the best thing to fill the aerated holes with ,I am in north texas and my soil is clay and has poor drainage ,I want to improve it over time

[@DaddingAllDay]

You don't have to do anything in all honesty. Leave then open for air and water to get down there. If you want to, compost would be best

[@ReelLowDad]

You left off in-laws not knowing how to park in a driveway.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Well now... I wasn't going to call anyone out by name. HAHA.

[@AlabanzasyAdoración7]

what type of fertilizer is it that you use? God bless!

[@DaddingAllDay]

I mainly use N-Ext products from Greene County Fertilizer.

[@pnkpnthr80]

OK OK OK...after watching a few videos I have subscribed... great info awesome content and the best part is at the end " God bless "

[@pnkpnthr80]

I also wanted to know what part of the country are you in? trying to figure out how to gauge when I should utilize your content. I am in NJ and normally try to follow those in the warmer climate to get ahead of the season.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Thank you for the sub! I'm located in good 'ol east Tennessee. So there is a little difference. I have a fescue front yard, bermuda backyard.

[@pnkpnthr80]

Tennessee what an amazing state!!! Enjoy the freedom of such a beautifully run state. Keeo the videos coming. I'm learning!!! God bless you and your family!!!!

[@angela-r]

Thank you so much for this helpful video. Would you also add fertilizer to new pieces of sod that aren’t taking root due to the hard soil? Some areas of my new sod (installed 6 weeks ago) are easily lifted up due to the roots not taking. And the ground is very hard in those areas. I have heard that you should not add fertilizer to new / stressed sod so I just wanted to be sure. Thanks again! (New subscriber here. 🙂)

[@DaddingAllDay]

You can add liquid fertilizer. Greene County Fertilizer has a product RGS (Root Growth Stimulant). Apply to the dirt under the sod, then put the sod on top and water heavy.

[@angela-r]

@@DaddingAllDay Thank you! 🙂

[@mabe1473]

Can u tell me if I top dress, do I need to re seed over it? Ty! I have a seeded lawn!

[@DaddingAllDay]

If you top dress, and you're not covering the existing turf, no need to reseed.

[@arielrodriguez6980]

Great video! I just sprayed liquid dethatcher on my dry land areas and because of compacted soil. Do you recommend I use Black Kow too or wait and see how the dethatcher works?

[@DaddingAllDay]

I would give the dethatcher some time, though they serve different purposes. Dethatchers aren't typically used for compaction. Use Black Kow in a few weeks.

[@TheDylan6908]

Good info thanks

[@DaddingAllDay]

No problem.

[@natehorn4202]

I have the weakest areas along the driveway just as you showed. Do you think I need to till up as there are a lot of rocks or would this process still work on top of the rocks? And is new seed necessary or no?

[@DaddingAllDay]

If there are rocks, this wouldn't work. Depending on how deep the rocks are, there isn't enough room for the roots to dive deep and establish. Removal of the rocks and seeding would be best.

[@natehorn4202]

@@DaddingAllDay thanks chuck! When you say removal of rocks is that full on renovation till everything up and start over ?

[@DaddingAllDay]

@@natehorn4202 Of the affected areas. If the whole yard doesn't have the issue, then just focus on the struggling areas.

[@tomasleiva5587]

What are the cords? It would be nice if you explained for newbies. My first home ever and my lawn is a nightmare. I put week killer on weeds and killed My beautiful lawn and it won’t grow back because my dirt is like concrete now.

[@DaddingAllDay]

My apologies, it's cores. They are the little cylinders of dirt that are removed when you use an aerator. They are just dirt with a little grass or weed material on the top.

[@jbc427]

Thank you!

[@DaddingAllDay]

You're welcome!

[@datsyukdeke1]

Question. I started my very first DIY lawn fix after a bunch of grass died last season from our dogs trampling it. I learned too late into the project that it died because of compaction and that I needed to aerate, so I went through and pulled plugs where grass still wasn't growing. It's now been established and been mowed several times but I notice it still grows slower. Am I safe to take a core aerator machine through the area or is the grass too young still to put it through that stress? Started this project in April, I'd say by late June/Early July it was fully established.

[@DaddingAllDay]

If it's established, you can aerate. I would overseed as well.

[@datsyukdeke1]

@@DaddingAllDay Awesome thank you!

[@MM-sq5pf]

My aerator I just bought doesn't penetrate and half inch, pick ax?

[@DaddingAllDay]

Have you tried watering for 30 minutes to an hour prior? Maybe it will help. If not then you'll need to go extreme!

[@sj7601]

I never want to look at soil again.. last fall I did a reno since I moved into a house with terrible soil and clumping fescue. I scarified multiple times, pulled up construction trash, raked up rocks, core aerated, and moved in / leveled 15 yards of top soil manually. When I did my soil test this year, it was like a knife going into butter! Unfortunately now I need to go around and fix up spots that had erosion with no grass, along with areas that have a million pea sized rocks. I was running out of time last year and did not have a good way to pick up the smaller rocks.. so I just buried them as best as I could under the new soil. But then it was all dug up when my irrigation system was installed.. leaving the rocks on top and no grass growing in the areas. There's no more room to add anymore top soil either :(

[@DaddingAllDay]

Holy moly I'm exhausted reading this. You put in some work. I'm digging up a lot of construction debris in the backyard. Not adding a lot of soil, just filling in those holes. Thank you for watching and sorry for bringing back nightmares.

[@ZE308AC]

you need John and Bob's Smart soil solution (Penetrate with a pump sprayer at least 4 to 5 application for 5 weeks.

[@DaddingAllDay]

I've not heard of John and Bob

[@MuttonChops24]

i bought one of these aerators and it wont go into my soil. its way too compacted. any other advice?

[@DaddingAllDay]

Do a heavy watering cycle first. The. See how it does. If it doesn't work, you may need to rent a mechanical aerator.

[@MuttonChops24]

@@DaddingAllDay I gave the heavy watering cycle ago and it worked! The plugs are pure mud with no nutrients but at least it’s a start lol

[@DaddingAllDay]

@@MuttonChops24 Awesome! Water does the trick!

[@JessClearwater]

My backyard is a compacted mess from vehicles (we recently renovated). I’m going to have to hire a core aerator machine.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Be sure to water it well.

[@SanjibSanjib-kc9ep]

I have one question ( what happen if soil is not compacted .

[@DaddingAllDay]

Then your soil is in great shape

[@ZE308AC]

can you fix bare soil that is dusty and erosion ?

[@DaddingAllDay]

Absolutely! Grass is a natural erosion preventer. Fix the soil so grass will grow, then that will assist in erosion prevention

[@brandonhyden9454]

Compaction cures let the soil breathe.

[@DaddingAllDay]

💯

[@nick09000]

3:49 I’m awesome 😎

[@AnDy-paints]

really like your chennel. funny dude!

[@michaellindsay481]

Watching this from Crossville! Lol

[@DaddingAllDay]

HEY HEY!! We just drove through Crossville this weekend.

[@Supanova70]

Cow manure can sometimes burn your lawn if not completley composted. i use chicken poop.lol on my lawn.

[@DaddingAllDay]

You are correct. I haven't had any burning issues with Black Kow.

[@dollydiddums7889]

The key to this problem is in construction and failing that afterthought . There is one simple tool used in construction or remedy of this problem , its name is BLEK 👍

[@kristieroche846]

What fertilizer did you use?

[@DaddingAllDay]

I mainly use Greene County Fertilizer, it's a liquid. However, I really like using a bag of 10-10-10 that I get from Ace Hardware.

[@dj2000lbs]

You need to introduce that soil to the BBC😂

[@DaddingAllDay]

Lol!!!

[@scottdarowski625]

Hey started following a little while ago. I’m local to you. Let me know if you’d ever wanna go in on products together-Scott

[@DaddingAllDay]

Where's local?

[@scottdarowski625]

Maryville. I saw your tag

[@DaddingAllDay]

@@scottdarowski625 That's awesome!! My wife did that and I'm surprised how well it's worked.

[@oldman1111]

Those look like Georgia homes.

[@DaddingAllDay]

You're not far off...

[@dollydiddums7889]

I see all the scientists have made it to the comment section 🤔

[@bluejay3945]

IMO that corona aerator is a piece of crap. The plugs clog all the time and for a bigger job you’ll be ripping your hair out. Buy an aerator that has a slit at the top that forces the plugs out. Worth every cent. Humic acid also helps soil aggregate. Definitely a game changer

[@jagboy69]

My wife says I'm good at sliding it in and out... :/

[@kaiinat703]

its not the size that counts😭😭

[@DaddingAllDay]

Truer words have never been spoken

[@peupeuguy310]

this tool wont even go through my soil :-/

[@DaddingAllDay]

Have you watered deep prior to using it?

[@mistersniffer6838]

Dude, just pay someone 2k to dig 6" out of the yard and replace with 6" top soil!!

[@DaddingAllDay]

I don't want to pay someone $2,000.

[@mistersniffer6838]

@@DaddingAllDay - I hear ya but im half way there trying to doctor my soil. 3 years later, still doctoring. About to grab my ankles and just do it. Would be nice to have an even lawn before I am dead!!

[@golddigger9326]

Compost is good but it doesn't last forever , compost plus humichar plus sand plus organic fertilizer and now your talking

[@DaddingAllDay]

Sounds like a magic mix!