Renovate Your Lawn - Step by Step Process!!

[@badgermoon9229]

I could probably kill my lawn without any chemicals.... just a talent I have. Great video, thanks for all the useful tips.

[@TheAMVDJ]

Renovating a yard is one of the most satisfying things you can do. It is so much hard work, so much planning, so much time that when the lawn finally comes in and looks awesome makes you feel so good inside.

[@LAWNLIFE]

This right here people ^^^^

[@mangos2888]

As a fellow Minnesotan who paid way too much for a piece of shit house on a shit lawn, I'm looking at this as my likely only remedy for the outside: Not 1, but 3 well-established noxious plants (both buckthorn types - as trees & winged burning bush), uneven landscaping so severe that the lawmower bounces, weeds-weeds-weeds-weeds, never aerated, & about a quarter acre in size. I'll probably be emailing you after binging all your content for a business inquiry on a 2023 plan. Keep 'em comin'.

[@TheLawnCareNut]

Well done, this is a series that is going to help a lot of people make the right decision for their situation. And I think you did the right thing going with the extra dethatching step, especially since you didn't have to do it ha ha! Funny how she got the dirtiest job.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for the comment Allyn! I really do hope this helps some people and hopefully they can learn from any mistakes I make along the way (rocks are already one of them 😂) The wife actually enjoys dethatching for some reason, so I'll take it!

[@Dstromb232]

Looks like the dog is enjoying the work!

[@zachjohnson7654]

Love your channel. I really feel that you are authentic and want to help others. I'm on the tail end of a total reno and have really appreciated your videos. Thanks

[@mikebrown8180]

You are so good at explaining things. I'm pretty good but always listen to you guys. You are very good!

[@thomasmeagher4801]

I agree....I did my backyard renovation last fall 10,000 sq ft and hand sifted 20yds of top soil through a screen into a wheel barrow and had a huge pile of rocks, glass, sticks.....just didn't want to put it into the lawn since I was renovating it why start with all that crap down already.....but it was a job.....

[@polarisxltsp]

I had the same issue you did with soil I brought in. I had 10 ton brought in and I manually screened it all. Took me 2 weekends to complete. Looking forward to seeing your results. Good luck.

[@TheCureThatKillz]

How your results turn out?

[@MNLawnGuy]

Thanks for letting me be a part of the "fun" Jesse! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[@e.h.9990]

Excellent video! Pulling the level rake instead of pushing it, is a great tip. I totally agree on the warning about the incredible amount of hard labour and the need for some helping hands. I did a full renovation this spring and I‘d rather not repeat it within at least 10 years …

[@LAWNLIFE]

😂😂 I feel your pain. Definitely a once in a decade type of activity lol

[@frupsn1960]

You give excellent tips and good warnings. I always forget that often topsoil can come with rocks and wood chunks/sticks. It's hard to find a delivery place that is trustworthy. Looking forward to your seed choice and seeding techniques!!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching. I even asked the company and it still came with rocks. Not a happy camper over here!

[@milenstoimenov9532]

You go on site and see what they ship. You don't allow the truck to unload until you inspect and accept the load quality.

[@iwayned]

Liked your better approach to renovations and pointers. My reno will be smaller and will involve screening. good tips thank you.

[@deant5006]

Dayum Andy. Props on the lawn

[@MNLawnGuy]

Thank you Dean

[@smlink51]

So I’m doing a “major” renovation to my complete yard. I just had (42) full size dump truck loads put in my front yard. The back yard will be my next year project. I’m leveling a very downsloped (drops about 8’ every 50’) yard. I’ve always had to fight erosion and the only thing that’s survived are the weeds. I’m in the process of building a very large retaining wall that is a (2) level, each wall is about 5’ each with the final wall being just over 10’ with the top caps. Then sloping the ground away from the house taking the rain water out and away to a natural drainage valley dividing my neighbors yard and mine down to a creek.🤞

[@richardbotha777]

I feel you on the topsoil and rocks. I have 10k sq ft of rocks to hand pick.

[@BermudaBrian]

Great too on the leveling rake

[@jfarm_1311]

All the work will be worth it in the end!

[@lakehouselawncare1755]

That was a great video! So much helpful information. Good luck on the rest of your renovation!

[@SONICBOOM98]

Dude! You've been hard at work that's for sure. Can't wait to see the results.

[@DaddingAllDay]

Great video! That is some work. I’m about to do a renovation at my place, and I HATE LEVELING!!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Good luck! What are you putting down?

[@DaddingAllDay]

@@LAWNLIFE I’m leaning sticking with fescue, but stronger cultivars. I’m not positive what they put down at our new houseZ

[@seansmith3747]

Twin City Seed Co. represent!

[@Timsanvik]

I’m in the process too here in NW MN. Thanks for a great video.

[@MarlonJoseGE]

Can we see more pics of Andy's lawn? That snapshot was insanely beautiful.

[@MNLawnGuy]

Hi Marlon, Thank you for the kind words. I don't do a lot of lawn stuff on KZbin, most of my KZbin channel is my girls doing gymnastics and singing! I just like to cut the grass. I mostly just post on The Lawn Forum in my journal, which is the site that I met Jesse through.

[@MarlonJoseGE]

@@MNLawnGuy Well..here's to hoping. Thanks for the reply.

[@rustyfan89]

I’m in PA and I stocked up last year got everything I needed for a fall lawn renovation but when the time to start came I got COVID and was down and out , by the time I had any energy it was too late to do it now this year is upon us and I so wanted to get out there and do it in the spring but I thought man I should really wait for end of summer/fall so now I am anxiously waiting for the fall!, now the only problem is I’ve changed my mind several times on which seed to use even though I already have it

[@LileCremeans]

Hey! Just saw Allyn Hane the LCN give a shout-out to your video in his Fall Seeding Supplement! That's pretty cool! Congratulations! I'll bet you're going to get a ton of views and hopefully a bunch of new subscribers.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for noticing man! It's pretty awesome that he included me and gave me some high praise. I was definitely pumped about that!

[@1peradventure]

I've been looking forward to this series on your renovation. Bummer about the rocks. I highly recommend you take the time to collect and pick up as many as you can, even if just by hand. After all the work you've done already it's going to drive you crazy if you don't. Much harder to get them out after grass comes in. Good luck with everything. Looking forward to the next video.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for letting me know this. I'll go out there and pick out as many as possible. Some of the chunks aren't actually rocks but clumps of soil that look like rocks. It's very frustrating. I'll definitely pick as many as possible after seeing this comment though. Thanks for the heads up and watching!

[@-What-are-your-thoughts]

Can’t wait to see the next one. I know the feeling with the rocks. I had rocks and glass in mine. I showed them pictures and they gave me a refund.

[@LAWNLIFE]

I had glass in mine also. I've been thinking about calling. Probably should

[@hatpeach1]

@@LAWNLIFE Glass in mine as well... and rocks. I don't think the people who deliver soil have much demand from OCD lawn people (like me). I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

[@woodpecker80]

You should go over you whole lawn with a fine rake and take as much debris as possible. It will amaze you how clean you will get it. It’s still hard work but from what I can see it doesn’t bother you. Best wishes on you project looking forward to next. I really appreciate you honesty

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching! I've been thinking about using a metal rake to try to get up as many small rocks as possible. I appreciate the tip!

[@quickplaya]

Having rocks is a good thing... you can pick up the surface rocks.. but having rocks underneath is good for aeration, less compaction over time and the microbiome.

[@ze_german2921]

I just Tilled my entire front Yard. It suffering from complete uneven ground with high and low spots, 50% Weeds, many areas spotted grass and the soil is hard as rock. My goal is to rake it level and switch from Centipede grass to Bermuda grass. No I forgot to treat it with any chemicals and hope this won't bite me in the rear down the road.

[@JoeEinMinne]

A little Amsul (ammonium sulfate) can also greatly improve efficacy of the glypho. Super good video, homey. Will drive by and take a look soon!

[@UrbanDadLife2024]

Nice video man, good luck with the reno

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks man!

[@mattmattia]

Great video, I really enjoy the channel 👍🏼

[@jebx99]

That leveling rake sounds a little like running a bull float if you've ever done that. Floating on top, not digging in. For the volume of material and effort put in seems like renting a dingo from a rental center would ahve been worth it. Even if you didn't want to track up the yard with it, still makes little work of loading those carts. A lot faster and easy. Locally it's $150/day to rent. Our rental center has a leveler/land plane attachment also.

[@jebx99]

I'm going to add, I've rigged a screen up like a material screener , but keeping the screen at an angle, say minimum 45 degrees, so the rocks roll forward, but dirt falls through. Again, with a dingo/loader and some prep it'd go pretty fast.

[@quickplaya]

It has been 90+ degrees here in Michigan... it is now Sept 6th.. is it too late to seed KBG/Rye?

[@Ignats_IIII]

The lawn looks great! 👍 Was that a Plaisted truck bring in the dirt?

[@juliandavis2143]

This was such an awesome and extremely helpful video. Thank you for posting and you definitely gained a subscribe from me! Quick question: I plan on doing all the steps, including de thatching, bringing in topsoil/sand. I am worried about my irrigation system taking a beating such as covering sprinkler heads with soil or destroying them altogether during any one of these steps. Did you have any irrigation you had to navigate and do you have any tips on that? Also did you have any issues with buried sprinklers afterwards? Thank you!!

[@LAWNLIFE]

I didn't pay any mind to them and everything was fine. Mine were also originally installed with the house so they were a good 1.5 inches below the topsoil, so hitting them with the dethatcher or covering them wasn't a big deal. I have hunter heads and the head of the screw holes got covered with sand. That was my biggest headache.

[@aramark1208]

I’m in Minnesota and looking to do this to my front yard. What advice would you give for someone starting out with 3.5 inch grass height with some high and low spots (up to 3-4 inch dips in the lawn) topsoil first and in the spring add sand/topsoil or sand/topsoil this fall too? Thanks

[@JimLake-i7i]

Jesse. I live in the South Suburbs of Chicago and I love Kentucky Blue Grass. What brand would you recommend for a 2 1/2 to 3 inch lawn ?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Email me Jim, let's discuss what your goals are. [e-mail]

[@jm97240]

Not even 1 year later and the price of that same "Compare N Save" 1 gallon bottle of glyphosate is $49.99 at Home Depot

[@tite732]

I have about 1k sqft that I’m gonna renovate (small area). What do you think makes more sense or cheaper? Buy a few bags of top soil from big box store or go to a local farm store and have them deliver soil?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Depends what their delivery prices are and how much leveling you have to do. Do you have crazy ruts and dips in your lawn? If so, the bag dirt might add up in a hurry

[@Blubaugh5]

I'm spraying tomorrow morning and hoping to drop seed sometime in the last 2 weeks of August. the only scary part is weather or not I get the seed I want. Harvest is right around the corner.

[@LAWNLIFE]

What seed are you trying to get?

[@Blubaugh5]

@@LAWNLIFE Pure Seed, Pure Sport. It’s an 80 PRG & 20 KBG.

[@t8rtaught]

Thanks for the informative video. Would love to do this on my property. Do you have a general number this would cost or what a landscape company would charge? Example 5k square feet. Thanks again

[@teamclarktrackfield]

Great information. Question: I plan to renovate 4000 sqft this fall. It’s fescue, which I keep cut at 4”. Would you recommend scalping the lawn and then apply glyphosate? Or, does it have to be at normal height when I spay the glyphosate? Thx!

[@LAWNLIFE]

I would scalp before, just not crazy low. Otherwise you're going to be scalping in a dust bowl once it's dead.

[@siggi5395]

Is a hard work😎

[@newtonbrook]

Cool season 8,000 sq foot lawn here in Southern Ontario. Patches of Poa Triv. I hate it. So far I am hiding it in the summer by hand watering it. A total reno is not in the cards...too much work.

[@turfnerd7540]

I am about 2 weeks behind you bud!

[@LAWNLIFE]

I'm lurking on you on TLF. You're getting a nice solid kill! I didn't get a chance to put down multiple gly shots before topsoil, but I'm fallowing a lot. Should be able to kill everything no problem!

[@milenstoimenov9532]

U r late lollll

[@turfnerd7540]

@@LAWNLIFE Yeah.. the kill is good so far. I am away until next Thursday. Will do one more Gly app on the 31st and then 12yards of 50/50 compost usga sand mix. Seed down on the 7th. Are you pregerminating your seed in water?

[@turfnerd7540]

@@milenstoimenov9532 Maybe for Montreal.. lol..

[@El_El_Guapo]

Scarifying will help thin out a thick lawn.

[@johnrossi6212]

This is probably a stupid question, but after you killed the grass could you rototill the yard and then level it?

[@LAWNLIFE]

It will make a bumpy mess once it settles. Don't rototill. I would harley rake if you really want to smooth it out. But you're gonna bring up a bunch of dormant weed seeds by doing that. I would water the dirt for a while and glyphosate the rest of the weeds that come up and then seed

[@johnrossi6212]

@@LAWNLIFE cool. Thank you for the info. I figured it wasn’t a good idea cause you never see anyone doing it.

[@garyboardwine3349]

You have the equipment , and are in a good area, be a good time to step up your game and go to creeping bent

[@LAWNLIFE]

I had creeping bent in this lawn and it was one of the reasons I killed it. Haha. I'm not ready to go to bentgrass right now. Bringing in some elite KBG. Maybe in a couple of years..thanks for always watching Gary

[@TheCureThatKillz]

I’ve got issues with shallow roots, thatch, and lawn disease that I just can’t seem to fix no matter what I do. It’s so frustrating. I’m considering burning it all down.

[@seansmith3747]

Are you gonna spray tenacity as soon as you throwdown seed?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Yes sir. My next video will show my exact process

[@seansmith3747]

@@LAWNLIFE damn homey. Best of luck with your reno. This drought has been brutal

[@evanshepard1]

Is there a healthier safer alternative to glyphosate? I don’t want my kids playing in that.

[@fescueme1081]

Are you on The Lawn Forum? I ask because I thought I’ve seen pictures of your lawn before?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Yes. jrubb42

[@fescueme1081]

@@LAWNLIFE oh ok. I’m Jeff_MI84.

[@edwardeli8712]

Hey, does your buddy Andy have his own channel?

[@MNLawnGuy]

Hi Edward, I do not do a whole lot on YT as my site mostly just has family videos, but there are a couple lawn videos. I typically only post on the lawn forum as I like to keep a journal there to look back on year over year. Which is incredibly helpful when top dressing to see progress and how long it took to recover last year. MNLawnGuy1980

[@spicemasterii6775]

Did you do any grading?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Yes I did.

[@GothicOutlaws]

This slow way. I wander how many HOA fines one would get... J.S.

[@jacoblincoln324]

Farmers almanac says first frost is Oct 5 (west central Wisconsin). Haven’t killed my grass yet. I have the seed I want already (ryegrass). 10 weeks from Oct 5 would be 2 days from now. With that said, would you recommend I wait until next year? Or still go for it even though I wouldn’t be able to pull it off that quickly. (I have seeded in late august the past two years because I didn’t know to pay attention to the frost date, used Jonathan Greene black beauty ultra seed and had success)

[@LAWNLIFE]

Are you prepared other than time? Are you bringing in topsoil? I would kill ASAP if you're absolutely 100% prepared to do everything else. Especially with rye, you definitely have time. The germination is so fast compared to KBG

[@jacoblincoln324]

@@LAWNLIFE I was planning on bringing in topsoil. I have a place i get it from already. I already have the leveling rake as well. My plan was to start killing it now and have it seeded by the same time I did it the past two years (late august). But ya got me kinda worried about the frost date now. I know ryegrass is the sissy grass after all lol but it’s super expensive because it’s top quality so i didn’t want it to die on me

[@LAWNLIFE]

I should've mentioned that I was growing KBG. I would be a little nervous if you are bringing in topsoil. If you rush this you could potentially run into seriously weed issues with bringing in topsoil if you don't fallow correctly. I still think you will be alright if you kill right now. How much topsoil are you planning on bringing in? I used 15 yards on 6k and it buried a lot of my existing grass. You could potentially put down gly, bring in your topsoil right away, fallow and kill any grass you missed and any weeds that pop up in the next couple of weeks.

[@jacoblincoln324]

@@LAWNLIFE I hadn’t done the math on how much topsoil I needed yet, but I only have 2500 sq ft to do. Thank you for your insight. I guess I have some quick decision making to do lol

[@LAWNLIFE]

Let me know what you decide. Email me at [e-mail] if you have any other questions.

[@sj7601]

I went to the place to physically look at the soil before purchasing any. Hopefully I won't have that issue

[@droopstroops]

it's all based on screen size and most screeners seem to be 1/2" so all those little pebbles get through

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

First Aussie 😁

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

Bermuda!!! Lol

[@danielwire8573]

What city are you in?

[@LAWNLIFE]

Andover

[@keithowu]

I legitimately thought that was Dave Portnoy on the thumbnail. 😅

[@LAWNLIFE]

Lmao. Idk how I should take this... 😂 After you saying that I see it 100%.. creepy..

[@keithowu]

@@LAWNLIFE haha, didn't mean it negatively at all. Loved the vid. I'm doing my reno next year I hope. i chickened out this year.

[@dougruwe288]

I was looking for this comment. I thought the same thing.

[@chrisaustin23]

Looks like the kids "helped" quite a bit!

[@LAWNLIFE]

They didn't mind playing in the dirt. They were filled from head to toe. Haha.

[@Rob-sr9rj]

👍

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

Dude… what seed are you using?!?? Those rocks are a buzzkill man…

[@LAWNLIFE]

Everest/Mazama/Bluebank I'm thinking. Still deciding... But yes, the rocks are messing with me man.. I'll be alright though. Might just use the manual reel and 1000 to be safe for the rest of the year. Save the 1600 for next year when I know it's safe.

[@greghuizen]

@@LAWNLIFE I did a renovation with Mazama, Everest, and Beyond in Michigan and it was great. Sad to have moved without even getting to see it make 1 year old.

[@sethi100]

Did I miss part 2?

[@seankelly8902]

Lawn renovation should only be done if your changing turf grasses or have paspalum and common Bermuda everywhere and want cool season grass, weeds and disease can all be treated for and it’s not cheap but you can protect your lawn all summer with fungicides done at the right timing and intervals

[@dontwastemytime277]

Where do you live? Can I contract you? Lol

[@darrickb1964]

You never said what type of seed you're using

[@LAWNLIFE]

That's going to be in the next video but I'm leaning towards Everest/Mazama/Bluebank

[@MrRamman04]

Yeah your ground looks like crap, that’s to bad

[@droopstroops]

lol try having two acres to reno

[@LAWNLIFE]

No thank you 😂

[@Adasdream]

Hey man are you okay??? You’re having some serious breathing problems in your video.