Tall Fescue Lawn Sand Compost Leveling Can It Be Done?

[@Manofsteel519]

I was worried you'd be done making tall fescue videos

[@Mityob67]

Leveling will be great after the rain hits it a few times. Brother Pete do you think you'll have to do another round of leveling to get it like you want it?

[@GCITurf]

Lol. Not a chance bro. Plenty of fescue to come

[@GCITurf]

@@Mityob67 not sure bro. All depends on how the first one does to be honest

[@CHOPPER030279]

Brother Pete exactly how did you order your mix 50/50? Is it screened? That looks like what you used at your shop on the Bermuda renovation. It looks really good and I'm getting ready for my renovation in May. Tried to order your Bermuda few weeks ago and it was sold out.

[@GCITurf]

@@CHOPPER030279 My bermuda is back in stock now. This is the exact mix I used on the bermuda 505 screened compost and 50% gold course bumker sand

[@christopheroconnors826]

RI State Police 🇺🇸 Thanks for the support and knowledge. We appreciate ya Pete !

[@BUDS228]

FINALLY! A leveling video for TTTF. Thank you sir! No one ever levels TTTF. Will be following.

[@GCITurf]

theres a reason for that...LOL...its very difficult to do and actually pull it off. we will try!

[@dailyDIYdude]

THIS is the video I’ve been waiting on. Can’t wait to see a follow up.

[@GCITurf]

I’m holding the baby right now 😂😂😂 quit texting me bah ha ha ha

[@jamesdyksterhouse2902]

@@GCITurf We need answers, Pete! Haha. I ordered the products, ready to action it in a few weeks!

[@shainmitchell3677]

Was always to worried about what would happen to do it , but once again Pete comes through and dives right in . Cant wait to see what happens.

[@tonybowers9490]

My guess is - what you did will turn out great, fix the issue, and leave you with a much more level lawn. Thanks for sharing!

[@unclejimmyray]

Pete is the long lost member of the O'Jays! "Got to give the peopleeee... Give the people what they want...!" I'm one of MANY who has been curious if/how this can be done with fescue. Cheers from Middle Tennessee!

[@ogsan1296]

Pete, Great video, I am sure your fescue will rise like Eater Sunday.... Take care brother. Blessings and shout outs.

[@geoffpemberton9976]

Thanks Pete I can wait to see the outcome of this project..God bless

[@dav3eii725]

Hey Pete…. As always, I’d like to THANK YOU for taking time out of YOUR day to provide us with your knowledge, experience and expertise!!

[@JStarke240]

Pete that compost sand mix is 🔥! Love that company :). Doing another round of leveling with my back lawn to get it even more ready for my Allett Buckingham 30H that I was able to snag :). Thanks Pete!

[@DeerParkCompany]

@CGI Turf.... 1. Was there a results video for this. 2. Can we do this in fall after aeration/ seeding? All the best.

[@clange12651]

Exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you Mr. Pete!

[@rockenjoshy]

Great video. I look forward to watching the updates. The other option is to slowly add soil mix to the super low spots without smothering until you get to a stage where you can do a general level. Usually done by hand.

[@aaronburford5701]

So much content I absolutely love and enjoy this channel! I can't get enough and it is so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent!

[@timwhittemore1299]

I was Literally about to ask this question on the facebook page!

[@ColeSpolaric]

I've done this to spots in my yard that need to come up like 4 inches. But I rake it into the grass so that it's poking through. And it's a mix of everything

[@brandonhyden9454]

I did a leveling on my TTTF/KGB last year with no problems. 👍🏼

[@todddurham4127]

I think I know what you may say Pete. But ever appropriate to use a lawn roller in the spring for bumpy turf, not necessarily ruts and settling. Never heard you comment on rollers?

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

You answered my TTF leveling question . Knew it was not good to cut too low. Especially to take it down in stages . .

[@jgulley12]

Pete you have all the nice toys. I have Bermuda I usually fertilize it before a leveling.

[@camdavidson94]

Just wanted to say thanks for all you do! Brought my awful lawn to life in PA from all the tips and help! Just received by 45lb bag of GCI TTTF seed that I'm excited to get going here in CO...planning on a fall seed. Excited to prove all these CO people wrong and show them YOU CAN GROW GRASS in Colorado!

[@grassmastersllc7967]

You've got all the right tools! ⛳

[@836dmar]

Super exciting! Can’t wait to see the results. Pete, I am realizing there are so many things I do out of convention. I notice politicians, business people, and believers do the same - act without really understanding why. I’m learning to question everything! This is a great experiment that might change the “conventions” TTF care! I’ll be next!

[@TopTierLawnCareServices]

When I had my irrigation installed last year they used a pipe puller instead of trenching so I didn't have any settling, after overseeding and seeding around where the heads were dug in you couldn't tell anything was done.

[@fescueme1081]

It was the same for me last year. It isn’t as noticeable.

[@Nnatti_lawn]

Planning to do this in fall! Thanks for the great content!

[@ScottyLo]

I’m pretty sure the neighbors are saying ( He’s at it again) I’m happy to see this video because I’ve got low spots from a big yard renovation I did last fall and water is sitting and driving me crazy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Pete.

[@kbslawn]

Been waiting for this video, can't wait for the results!

[@kevinhicks3456]

Random Question: If you put down pre emergent will this mess with the barrier at all?

[@matthewimi]

Good to see you Pete I don't know if you've been putting out videos but I haven't been seeing them. Hope you're well

[@GCITurf]

I’ve been putting out many vids. KZbin put me in the corner 😂🤣😂

[@matthewimi]

@@GCITurf I'll have to go back and see what I missed..

[@bigtmk5015]

The lawn care nut recently did a similar video. He used all mason/leveling sand on his St. Aug. I used the same technique on my tttf/kbg mix. It worked great. I live in northern West Virginia. You guys have some of the best content on KZbin.

[@UserUser-pe5xm]

Hey thank u for this video… i am going thru the same thing cant wait to see what happens.

[@Bgoodman6113]

Definitely got me curious. Hope it works fine!

[@robertswanson8979]

Love that you're representing RI Staties!

[@chrisreddick36]

I really like the Turf Float behind the Ventrac that looks cool.

[@GCITurf]

G2 Turf Tools

[@jeffreywassmer6508]

Thank you sir! Anxious to see results as I have wanted to attempt this.

[@bradb-rad3624]

Great video Pete. Can that attachment be rigged up to the stock 3 pt hitch on the ventrac or did you have to do modifications?

[@SuperTA329]

Interesting to see if the grass will survive and make it's way through the soil sand mix. If so, I will feel better about the little leveling job I plan this season on my KBG.

[@Vayjining]

Learned and lurked alot over the past couple years..... Couldn't believe I wasn't sub'd!

[@abad_gtr1123]

definitely looking forward to what happens with this Pete. i got a front yard with TTTF that needs some leveling from where a big tree was removed. i tried to level it when the tree was initially removed...but the soil has settled down and it's quite uneven with small puddles now

[@Dustin922]

I’m thinking some of it will come back but I bet some seed will need to go down. If only we could give fescue the growing habits of Bermuda it would be the perfect turf. 😁

[@theturfnerd]

What do you think if I do that to fill in backyard spots overtop of soil already treated with prodiamine? Can you plant seed on that new soil and will grow?

[@dukenukem3598]

Please do weekly updates for at least the first month. I did this same thing this weekend. by hand mind you, but would love to see what your thoughts are on a weekly basis with this one. Very rarely do lawn KZbinrs do something that hasn’t been done before, but this seems to be rarely attempted. Appreciate you Pete, Praise the lord!

[@Shane-on5kh]

That machine is amazing. I wish the rental companies around me had that attachment

[@bencarey8988]

Wow I've never seen a SCAG push mower before you guys have everything 😁

[@Simpleboneguy]

You've got some serious kit! I am jealous.

[@dougglenn4954]

Thanks for this video. Sodded a portion of my TTTF lawn a few years ago and some voids formed at the ends of the rolls. Will not use top soil on my mostly weed free lawn and compost by itself just seems to go away. All the horror stories of putting sand on clay soil and fescue have made me a tad skittish about using it. Interested to see how this works.

[@ericstinnett9182]

Great video, some people put down extra growth fertilizer to really boost the growth so it can come through that top soil. Thanks

[@GCITurf]

i fed it very well

[@ericstinnett9182]

@@GCITurf Great thanks

[@seanprock47]

had a previous comment that i regret and will own that (on a prior video)......we all make dumb remarks. i own it. I have also done this though on my back yard here in colorado. it takes some time for it to come back (assuming it does if not smothered). i love it because it allows more organic soil to be mixed in, so in my neck of the woods it works for overall health of the lawn but for year to year maintenance.....i wouldn't recommend it for a quick leveling fix. again, i work with clay and crap soil in colorado.

[@bbtank3000]

Do you need to apply a pre-emergent after adding topsoil/sand to the lawn like that? Will adding a grade create a new bed for weeds to grow in?

[@GCITurf]

Doubt it. Sand shouldn’t have any weeds in it and this compost doesn’t either.

[@Brad_R]

Good stuff, Pete! Looking forward to the follow-up.

[@jeffadams3277]

That drag is sweet!!

[@GCITurf]

its bad to the bone!

[@heydeereman1040]

On the golf course we did it in 0.5" lifts and made sure it was brushed down so there was green leaf blades showing. Once that healed over then other 0.5"

[@huntsw]

I like when people use sand spreaders more to apply the sand vs dumping it on the grass and manually spreading. You get a much more even spread and less chance of smothering an area

[@GCITurf]

100% agree with this if you’re top dressing. A leveling type tool has to be used in order to level though. If that makes sense?? I’m trying to explain without sounding like a smart A 🤣

[@huntsw]

@@GCITurf appreciate the response Pete. I thought it would be better to evenly spread the sand first, then drag to pull sand from high areas to low areas. When I dumped piles and dragged, ended up with too many spots with too much sand no matter how much I dragged after. These areas looked awful and took a whole season to recover

[@GCITurf]

@@huntsw you may be right about this. But i think with fescue its difficult no matter which way you do it. If I would have been thinking I would have done 1/2 of this like you speak of.

[@MsTonya417]

Looking forward to see how this turns out. My irritation line has also settled,so Its starting to develop a sort of swale. I’m gonna tackle that very soon. I’ve got KGB,rye and fescue they level out pretty well so not much worry there. But I can’t wait to see how your fescue does.

[@fly1np4nda]

I've been curious about this for some time and I'm definitely curious about the outcome. I had some ruts form from my renovation but I think I'll let the grass mature up another season some more before attempting anything like this if it turns out well.

[@mgriffin12]

I've done this a few times to my fescue and I will say...it will look like crap for a few weeks and I always needed a reseed for the grass that got smothered. It comes back eventually after a few months but you have to be prepared to put up with a less than perfect yard for a while. Best to do it super early in the spring. Doing it in fall it may not recover before winter and you end up with half a lawn all winter

[@GCITurf]

Good info here!

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

I used a compost and sand mix on my front yard renovation last year. It worked wonderfully but of course that was on bare dirt. I was considering using the same stuff to do exactly what you did. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. I may try it myself in the fall.

[@BermudaBewitched]

Mr Pete what are your thoughts on horse manure compost? Please advise ! Looking to add to my soil before I plant that alpha seeds your selling

[@GCITurf]

i am not real sure to be honest. it needs to be processed correctly to get all the crap out...not trying to be funny. LOL

[@rma5051]

If it works for you this year. I'm gonna be doing this in the fall during my overseed or next spring. I have some places I ran irrigation that settled a bit also.

[@NextLevelLawnCare]

im sure its gonna turn out great! Thanks for sharing pete. still waiting on my yard to wake up :/ dang Colorado weather.

[@rosieotis]

I went too heavy on the sand up here in Illinois. Ended up with some bare sand spots that the TTTF/KYB mix didn’t like it.

[@GCITurf]

I’m guessing that’s what’s gonna happen here

[@hoeybr1]

Great info Pete

[@thepokerpilotapp]

It can. I’m in CT and buried my lawn under similar sand/compost mixture. I had it buried actually and everything came out perfectly.

[@GCITurf]

Was it fescue or KBG?

[@WeatherNut27]

Great video! so curious about the results. Looking forward to seeing updates. you must have a good memory with all the projects you have going on

[@derekfisher2658]

hey Pete great video ill be aerating and overseeding my lawn here soon with perennial rye grass and of course I live in California so it gets hot here but I don't care it will get a lot of water and I use a liquid diet of fert and I love it but on occasion ill mix some granular fert in there also I have never done a soil test yet but its coming to see what nutrients its lacking bu the beat part is I have not weeds in my turf !!!!! keep up the great videos your a great guy

[@cjf20005]

Some of very low spots could be bare spots, and would benefit at the next over-seeding. But as far as the low fescue that gets covered in dirt- how much of that comes back? Some of it? All of it? Thx.

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

Interesting. I think once it gets some water on it that compost will find its way down and the fescue will pop on through. I topdress my putting green lightly every two weeks but never cover the plant like that and bentgrass spreads with stolons. I also use a very particular sand so seeing people use standard mason sand makes me super nervous! Good stuff Pete.

[@GCITurf]

Yeah the only reason this is so deep is the irrigation trench. I should have done a better job when I installed it lol

[@SideOfRanch]

What type of sand do you use, @jeff Smith?

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

@@SideOfRanch it's USGA spec kiln dried topdressing sand. The specific one I purchase is called All Pro Select. Comes in 50lb bags and I buy it from a distributor in my area (Maryland) that deals with all of the country clubs around me. I put down about 150lbs per thousand every two weeks and I have 1,200 square feet of putting green. I buy 40 bags or 2,000 pounds at a time because I do aerate in the fall.

[@tneison23]

@@JeffSmith-eq3kc I'm in MD and have been struggling to find where I can get USGA spec sand (at best I can find bulk mason sand). If you see this, would love to know your distributor?

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

@@tneison23 yeah, not easy at all. I dealt with the same thing. DO NOT USE mason sand on a putting green. It will never get through the crown of the plant. I go through a distributor that works with the superintendent at my country club. The company name is Genesis Turfgrass. I believe they may actually be in Virginia but they deal with Maryland.

[@Jeff-zc6ti]

Pete I’m in Eden nc curious where you get that compost mix from if you don’t mind saying

[@GCITurf]

Brooks Contractor Google them and you will find them. They about an hour or so away from us.

[@SandstormGT]

Where does one find a sand/compost mix? I can't even find compost locally.

[@seedtimeharvestlawncare]

Hey buddy, how would compost and top soil would have done? It looks good.

[@spawn1086]

Happy Spring Yall ! Let's get mowing.

[@jeffcraine879]

Two question. What percentage of comp and sand? Can I do an over seed prior to leveling with this mix?

[@monkeyslawncareandgardenin473]

Awesome drag!!

[@XFBO]

I've been watching a variety of these grass video's for a few weeks now. I'm probably starting my research on the late side but I'm enjoying your video's and would like your input.....I live in middle TN and purchased a home 2+ yrs ago with a pitiful lawn, front and back but wanting to work on the front first. I believe the best parts of it is Bermuda with a whole lot of weeds and possibly a cold climate mix which Im not good at identifying....I'm NOT one of those guys looking to cut my lawn at 1" or lower heights....love a great looking lawn but not that much! Can you give me some advice on how to improve this mess? Someone once told me I'll never get rid of the Bermuda......so is there another grass type that will grow well amongst it??? If height matters, I prefer a 2-3" lawn height. Any input would be better than none, so thanks in advance if you see this. TY!

[@tomhofmann6008]

Hey Pete are you still mowing your tall fescue low with the Allett mower? I'm out in the Pacific Northwest and have ordered the Allett Stirling and anxious to mow my RFT at 1.5 to 2 inches.

[@GCITurf]

No sir. I’m cutting it normal again

[@johnprocopio8094]

Looking to do this on a test plot in my yard. Any update to how things are going?

[@Mark-zi2og]

Man, that Ventrac is like a Swiss Army knife for yard work!

[@cieje34]

Great video 👍

[@DaddingAllDay]

Can I get one of them fancy lawn floats?

[@GCITurf]

Sure bro! G2 Turf Tools 😎🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@johngrinnell]

What exactly is the mix rate?

[@cameronandersonsr]

I hate watching Pete sometimes, he uses the coolest equipment. Fantastic job. Someone should create smaller DYI equipment like the ones you use on your lawns.

[@toddfromflorida]

Pete, you have any advice for people wanting to add some dirt to St Augustine???? I have some uneven areas in my back yard as well as a low strip near my house where I dug out grass to put in a bed and then puled the bed out a few years later. I need to bring that area back up to grade. I wonder if I should cut it slightly lower (nothing like you did) or leave it as tall as possible which I cut at 4.5 inches.

[@Y0u.kn0w.wh0]

Can’t wait for the KBG leveling video and if you decide to do the Bermuda too if it’s even needed!

[@GCITurf]

KBG vid coming this Saturday morning. I’ll do the Bermuda as well

[@Y0u.kn0w.wh0]

@@GCITurf awesome stuff God bless Pete!

[@aprilgeneric8027]

only time to lawn level with good results is in the spring before the new growth 1/2" at a time unless you want to add alot of seed. oh and also throw in some 10-10-10 or 7-7-7 with the dirt mix to help that grass jump out. this works best right after the snow melts off and the ground dries up firm enough not to make tire ruts. you can do it again after all the leaves have dropped but recovery over the winter is spotty at best as the grass fails to breath and dies. mostly works as long as it's kept to 1/2" vibration works best and water it in after 1 day light-medium water until the water starts to run then shut it off. it's rather tricky. all day light rain is the best results i've had before i got a chance to water it in. the pounding rain will penetrate the dirt and grass once wet enough and distribute pretty darn nice. have never been able to replicate that using man made methods. only had the rain do this properly 3 times in 25-31 years as it's a timing thing that hardly ever works out in your favor unless you know it's coming from friends to your near west and almost every time taking the day off from work or sports events.

[@tulsatom4307]

VIBRATION: I wonder if Pete’s Aervator would sift/settle the dirt and expose the buried grass? PRE-EMERGENT: would it be practical to retreat these areas; or at least apply the second dose early to prevent or control weeds that way come from the top dressing?

[@tretre1692]

New question! I’m starting to observe little sink hole type things without a mound. One was buried underneath a new garden I put in (found it while planting plants), the other one was on the other side of the driveway, and the third one was on the bottom of say a 10 foot hill? They are covered in about 2-3” of soil but if I remove it i can feel a hole. The third one is much much bigger but by a place that had an old tree. Any idea?! Could you show different types of holes from natural to animal/rodent made?

[@TheNurturingNestlings]

What ratio of sand to compost in the mixture?

[@GCITurf]

50/50

[@Carolinagroundskeeper]

Could you level it and then reseed it? I think this is a great idea.

[@GCITurf]

absolutely but thats the easy way. i wanted to show the sand level way to se if it can be done.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

@@GCITurf I would actually like to know how best to level and seed. I’ve got bare spots and need to level

[@stealthcomp14]

Would really like to have the updates for your videos to be linked in the original videos. I've seen a lot that I've never been able to find the after videos.

[@reedrs2009]

What was your sand and compost mix ratio?

[@brianhina8538]

What was that on the 3 point hitch?

[@GCITurf]

G2 Turf Tools leveler

[@weekendwarrior2172]

Very interested in results

[@bfilz]

Man, I hope this works and maybe a service you will add to the local guys!

[@GCITurf]

😎

[@huntsw]

When are we gonna see an update to this?

[@jonathanp4262]

Agree

[@dylan8285]

I've actually seen Tall fescue maintained at 1.5-2inches and it does fine and looks decent but it loses most of its benefit of why most people plant it. The heat and drought tolerance that it will stay green longer in the heat than all other cools season grass

[@robertswift6101]

i am going to sand level mine

[@toddh6234]

May be best to to leave it a little tall and use a power broom to distribute the top soil evenly. Hope it all works out well for you.

[@keithredmore9473]

Is the ratio 50/50 for the compost and sand mix?

[@matthewstover6789]

Curious to see how well it recovers.

[@derrickgreenwell8727]

What type of sand is used? And what's the ratio sand to compost