If you’ve had your tree stump removed, you know that once the tree is gone, the work isn’t done. There’s now an unsightly hole in your lawn. You can either plant a new tree or fill in the space with new grass. Here are five steps homeowners can take to plant grass after stump grinding.
Step 1 – Grab Your Tools
Before you begin the task of reseeding your lawn, make sure you have all the necessary tools. These include:
- Loppers or a saw
- A rake
- A shovel
- Topsoil
- Compost
- Slow-release and quick-release nitrogen-rich fertilizers
- Grass seed
Step 2 – Prepare the Area
Before you can begin planting your new grass, it’s important to get the soil ready. Removing all wood chips and sawdust should be your first priority. Sawdust and woodchips rob the soil of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing healthy grass.
Use a rake to remove any wood chips and sawdust. If any large roots are remaining, use your loppers and saw. Finally, use your shovel to turn the top level of soil over. Freshen up that soil by adding organic matter, such as compost. This will give it some oxygen and loosen it up, enabling your grass to grow back lush and healthy.
Step 3 – Add Fertilizer and Topsoil
Using a slow-release, nitrogen-rich starter fertilizer will give the soil a boost now and help maintain nitrogen levels in the future. Add a layer of fresh topsoil and rake the area to distribute the fertilizer evenly.
Step 4 – Seed the Area
Now that your area is cleared, your soil is prepared, and your fertilizer is mixed in, you can finally lay down your seeds. As you overseed, follow the recommended application rates on the bag. Using a hand spreader to cover the whole area will get you the best results.
After the seeds are laid down, use the back of a rake to go over the surface to ensure the seeds have good seed-to-soil contact. Lay down an extra ¼-inch layer of topsoil over the seeds.
Step 5 – Maintain Your New Grass
Once the grass seeds are planted, it’s time to go into maintenance mode. Make sure to water your new grass seed once or twice per day, making sure the soil doesn’t dry out, as dry seeds will quickly die. You want the soil moist but not soggy. Also, don’t forget about mowing your grass regularly: Once the grass reaches its recommended mowing height, you’re ready to mow.
FAQ
Expect to pay an average of $313 for a company to grind one stump. Additional stumps cost from $35 to $63 each. If you prefer to DIY this job, stump grinder rentals cost around $120 for four hours or around $173 per day.
Professional tree stump removal costs an average of $326, but prices can start as low as $77 for a small stump.
Expect to pay $630 on average for tree removal, but prices range from $385 to $1,070.
No. Another method you can use to grow grass where a tree stump was removed is to lay sod.
A tree should not grow back in the area as long as you remove the stump and remove tree roots. Check out our guides:
◉ 5 Ways to Remove a Tree Stump
◉ Tree Root Removal: A How-to Guide
If your tree suffered from a disease before it was removed, particularly a root rot disease, it is a good idea to treat the area for a disease first before planting grass,
Unsure How To Grow Grass After Stump Grinding?
Growing grass where you had a tree removed is not the easiest thing to do. Sawdust may interfere with the growth of your grass. If you’re not sure how to remove the sawdust and improve the nutrients in the soil, lawn care specialists can help! Call today to get a quote on planting grass in your lawn.
Main Image Credit: Robert Loeder / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
