A few years ago, we had our old lawn removed, and a new sod installed.
Looked great, but over time, crabgrass returned to a corner of the new lawn,
where it once existed in the old lawn. What I can't figure out is why the
height of the dirt in that area has increased. It is like the dirt is
multiplying! Maybe crabgrass roots are "swelling" the soil? Still, this is
happening, to a lesser degree, along other parts of the lawn, all on the
lowest part, which is against a sidewalk. This is evident when the lawn is
edged, as the soil must be 2-1/2" high or more. The soil used to be even
with the sidewalk. I have to be really careful not to scalp the lawn when
mowing, whereas this was not a problem before. It is like my entire lawn is
slowly sliding to the street, and building up in size at the sidewalk edge.
Also, the pop-up sprinklers can no longer clear the sod/lawn. The slope to
the sidewalk is slight (18" over 30 feet maybe). What is happening, and how
do I stop it? And correct it.

Thanks,

- Phil

"PSMSR" wrote in message
...
A few years ago, we had our old lawn removed, and a new sod installed.
Looked great, but over time, crabgrass returned to a corner of the new
lawn, where it once existed in the old lawn. What I can't figure out is
why the height of the dirt in that area has increased. It is like the dirt
is multiplying! Maybe crabgrass roots are "swelling" the soil? Still,
this is happening, to a lesser degree, along other parts of the lawn, all
on the lowest part, which is against a sidewalk. This is evident when the
lawn is edged, as the soil must be 2-1/2" high or more. The soil used to
be even with the sidewalk. I have to be really careful not to scalp the
lawn when mowing, whereas this was not a problem before. It is like my
entire lawn is slowly sliding to the street, and building up in size at the
sidewalk edge. Also, the pop-up sprinklers can no longer clear the
sod/lawn. The slope to the sidewalk is slight (18" over 30 feet maybe).
What is happening, and how do I stop it? And correct it.

Thanks,

- Phil


Incline you mentioned is 1/2" on 1 foot. A bit steep for drain plumbing,
but okay for the lawn. Soil is moving from some uphill location to the
bottom of your lawn. Observe, reflect, and provide that.
Dave

Get out a nice, sharp spade and cut and lift a square of sod.
Bet you're going to find a thick layer of thatch that looks like this:
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/week...6-10-02-3.html

Follow the instructions on the web pages mentioned for lawn management.