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When can I plant grass after a stump has been removed?

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, BUT CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

Although grinding gets rid of a tree stump quickly and efficiently, it can negatively affect the soil. The grindings left behind robs nitrogen from the soil, and the lack of nitrogen can keep grass from growing in the area. The large amount of grindings left from the stump may take years to decompose on its own preventing the soil from returning to normal nitrogen levels. However, several ways exist to help speed up the process.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NITROGEN

Growing grass requires an abundant source of nitrogen within the soil. Without proper amounts of nitrogen, grass appears stunted, yellow, and patchy in some areas where grass will not grow. The lack of vigorous growth enables weeds to invade the lawn, making it harder for the grass to thrive as the weeds compete for nutrients and water.

REMOVE STUMP DEBRIS FROM AREA

When you want to plant grass immediately where a stump was removed, you must mitigate the nitrogen-deficiency damage by removing as much of the stump grindings as possible. If large roots were ground out, dig out the stump grindings left along the root lines as well. If you are not able to get every last bit of the stump grindings out no need to panic, it's ok! A small amount does function as a handy soil amendment in dense soil. Just keep in mind digging out as much as possible will prevent it from affecting the nutrient composition of the surrounding soil. Add topsoil to fill the hole left from the stump removal.

ADD FERTILIZER

Adding nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the area where the stump once stood can help prepare the soil for grass - about 1 ounce of a fertilizer such as a 20-10-10 blend is sufficient for 4 square feet of soil, or a stump that was 2 feet in diameter. Using a mixture of quick-release nitrogen and slow-release versions gives the soil an immediate nitrogen boost while ensuring a continuous supply after the quick-release nitrogen depletes. Mixing the fertilizer with the topsoil should enable grass to grow immediately if you removed the stump grindings. If the stump grindings are mixed with the soil, it could take up to one year for the fertilizer to provide sufficient amounts of nitrogen to support grass development.

MONITOR pH

Testing the soil provides information on several essential nutrients but usually not the nitrogen level. The levels are fluid and sometimes have large inconsistencies depending on how deep the sample is taken from, how much it rained recently, and the soil composition. You can get home testing kits from places like Home Depot or Menard's. pH test results let you know whether or not the soil is at the proper level of acidity to allow grass to absorb nitrogen. Grass grows best at a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0, and soil releases nitrogen most efficiently at a neutral pH of 7.0. Adding lime raises the pH level while adding sulfur or pine needles lowers it. The amounts to add depend on your soil's type, the current pH level and the desired pH level. If, for example, Justin's soil is currently at a pH of 8.0, then add 3/10 pound of elemental sulfur per 10 square feet of soil to lower the pH to 6.5. To change the pH from 6.0 to 6.5 in Justin's soil, add 4/10 pound of ground limestone per 10 square feet of soil.

FAQ

  • WHAT IS STUMP GRINDING?

    Stump Grinding is the process used by service professionals that involves the use of a powerful machine that has a large cutting wheel at the front end. Think circular saw blade, but much larger and much meaner. The extensions off the perimeter of the cutting wheel are the teeth that do the actual cutting. The cutting wheel is mounted to the machine on a boom that is moved left to right and up and down by hydraulic controls. This enables the operator to quickly grind the stump into a pile of manageable wood chips.

  • HOW DO I MEASURE MY STUMP?

    Stump measurements are taken by measuring the widest diameter of the stump as it enters the ground, this would include any raised ground around the stump, the idea is to be able to level the area when you are finished.

  • HOW MUCH DOES STUMP REMOVAL COST?

    Excellent question, there are many answers to this. Many service professionals charge by the inch as a baseline to give the customer a ballpark idea of how much it COULD cost. There are quite a few factors besides the price per inch that can affect the final price. Such as, if the stump uprooted (Ground is Raised around the stump), visible rock around the stumps location, exposed root systems, the type of tree (Hard or Soft wood), depth needed, and level of difficulty.


    Since stumps come in many shapes and sizes, it isn't possible to publish a price scale that is fair to both the customer and the service provider. When a job is quoted, the price given for the stump grinding and debris clean-up IS the final price, Dirt prices can vary either up or down, just depends how much we end up using in the end. This difference in dirt pricing is usually +/- $30-$45. Exception: We reserve the right to make billing adjustments based on the severity of damages incurred to our equipment during the stump removal process whether it be on commercial or residential properties as a result of hitting foreign objects buried around the stump such as, concrete, bricks, steel, or anything else that is not natural to mother earth.

  • WHY SHOULDN'T I RENT A STUMP GRINDER AND DO IT MYSELF?

    There are 4 basic reasons it makes sense to hire an expert.

    First, stump grinder rentals aren't cheap. They range from $125-$375 depending on the size grinder you want.

    Second, the types of rental grinders available most often have dull teeth, are abused, and are suited for smaller stumps.

    Third, if you don't know what you're doing, you can badly injure yourself!

    Fourth, it costs less than you think - ask for a FREE quote!

  • WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY?

    Unless brought to our attention by a customer or homeowner it is near impossible to determine where private lines are hidden beneath the surface. In many cases wiring can find itself wrapped up in the trunk of a tree. Wire run near tree types with speedy growth rates can be consumed by the tree’s root system as it ages! This makes it unavoidable during the removal process. Digger’s hotline does NOT mark private lines.


    PowerHouse Stumpin is NOT liable or responsible for ANY damage to property including but not limited to, private power lines or any lines, wires, sprinkler systems, curbing, edging, concrete, sidewalks, decorative stone, siding, lawns, etc. unless concerns are brought forth by customer prior to work start date. However, we WILL make every effort to avoid such instances from ever occurring through use of proper safety barriers, track mating, and diggers hotline.

  • CAN I USE THE STUMP SHAVINGS FOR ANYTHING GOOD?

    Yes, the stump shavings can be used as compost or garden mulch. The shavings can also be used to fill small holes in your yard or be spread evenly throughout the yard to boost the level of organic material present as a natural fertilizer. However, It is not recommended to bury stump shavings below the surface due to the rapid decay of the shavings in their reduced state. This chemical process takes a lot of nitrogen to happen and thus will pull it from the surrounding soil damaging the plant life in the immediate vicinity, and possibly preventing new grass growth. If you should choose this route, be sure to get nitrogen pellets to mix with the shavings so that the chemical process can pull from the pellets instead of the surrounding soil.

  • CAN I REPLANT?

    Of course! We ask every customer what he or she plans on doing with the area once the stump is gone. Generally, it does cost a little more for a complete removal instead of leaving some of the subterranean roots behind. Every stump we remove is ground down to a depth of 6-8 inches below grade. Unless a special request is made by the customer during the time of estimate. For replanting, if requested, we can grind down to a depth of 18 inches!

  • CAN YOU GET INTO MY BACK YARD WITH YOUR MACHINE?

    Almost always, yes. Our machine is 35 inches wide and fits into just about every standard built fence gate.

  • DO YOU GUARANTEE YOUR WORK?

    We Guarantee two things. One, that once we grind out the stump it will NOT grow back, and IF it does we will come back free of charge and correct the issue! Two, no surface roots are left behind. We take out all surrounding surface roots. Quality over quantity is our game and we are very passionate about that.

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