Well, well, well—look who finally made it to the blog. That’s right, folks, this is my official inaugural post. Trisha’s been running the show around here, but after years of being the muscle behind these projects (and the occasional comic relief), I figured it was time to put my words to work, too.
And what better way to kick things off than with a tale of sweat, soil, and one seriously stubborn backyard transformation?
There’s nothing quite like a backyard full of lush green grass, especially when you have a graduation party on the horizon and two Bernedoodles who believe the yard is their personal racetrack. But let’s rewind a bit—this wasn’t always the case. Thanks to a leak that displaced us from the house and a landscaper with questionable lawnmower cleaning habits, our lawn became ground zero for an all-out war against invasive spurge. And if you know anything about spurge, you know that pulling it out is about as effective as yelling at it.
So, armed with determination, a rear tine tiller that I rented from The Home Depot and the stubbornness that comes with too many DIY projects, I set out to rebuild our backyard from the dirt up. Here’s how it went down:
Step 1: Clearing the Battlefield
The first hurdle? Digging up the old sod, which was more like peeling up concrete than anything resembling grass. The leak had left us preoccupied with indoor repairs, and the neglect turned the soil into a near-impenetrable layer. Every shovel full was a struggle, but through this process, my shovel and I formed a tight bond—one forged in sweat, frustration, and the occasional whispered pep talk.
Step 2: Breaking Up the Clay
Southern California is known for its wonderful weather and terrible soil. Our backyard was no exception, featuring lovely hardened clay that laughed in the face of my heavy-duty rear tine tiller. In the particularly stubborn spots, I had to bring in the pickaxe, because nothing says DIY like swinging a pickaxe at your own backyard like an old-timey miner.
Step 3: Mixing in the Good Stuff
Once the soil was broken up (and my arms were thoroughly sore), I mixed in about a half-yard of compost. To get it, I filled the trusty Tundra to the brim and made it work like trucks should—hauling a serious load of compost back home. This step was crucial—nutrients are key to giving the new grass a fighting chance. I tilled it about three inches into the soil, ensuring the future grass roots had something to hold onto besides clay and crushed dreams.
Step 4: Fixing Drainage Issues
Water drainage has always been a problem, so this was my chance to do it right. San Diego regulations require that water stays on your property, so I installed new drains in key areas, directing water to existing drainage basins in the front yard. This step required some serious trench digging and pipe placement, but I figured future Skott would thank me when the next storm rolls in. Although, let’s be real—I also tend to get mad at past Skott for skipping steps, so I made sure to do it right this time to avoid future Skott’s wrath and a little bit of Trisha's.
Step 5: Sprinkler Rehab
With drainage sorted, I moved on to the sprinklers. Testing revealed that some areas were underwatered while others got the VIP treatment. We always had annoying patches that struggled for water like sipping through a clogged straw—just enough to survive, but never enough to thrive. I relocated several sprinklers to ensure even coverage because nothing is more annoying than seeing one patch of green surrounded by a lawn that looks like the Mojave Desert.
Step 6: Leveling and Prepping the Soil
Before rolling out the new sod, I spent an unreasonable amount of time leveling the yard. Water needs to flow to the drains, not pool in random spots or flood the planter beds. I also spread gypsum over the soil to help break down the clay, making it easier for the grass to root deeply and grow strong. (Because we all need strong roots—life lesson hidden in a lawn project.)
Step 7: Choosing the Right Sod
Previously, we had tall fescue, which was lovely until Zoey and Bentley decided that running at full speed and occasionally peeing on it was a fun hobby. This time, I went with Tahoma Hybrid Overseeded Bermudagrass from West Coast Turf. It’s durable, drought-tolerant, and recovers quickly from damage—perfect for two hyper Bernedoodles and a backyard that sees a lot of action. Plus, it has a short dormancy period, meaning it stays green longer than regular bermuda. If you want to see them in action, check them out on Instagram at @the_bentley.zoeyshow.
Step 8: Best Practices for Laying Sod
Laying sod is a bit like rolling out a really expensive, very fragile carpet. Here are some quick tips:
Stagger the seams like bricks to avoid visible lines.
Water it immediately—don’t even think about taking a break first.
Stay off the new sod for at least a couple of weeks (try explaining that to two dogs who think it’s playtime all the time).
Roll the sod after installation to remove air pockets and ensure good soil contact.
Step 9: Adding Future-Proofing Touches
Since I was already elbow-deep in the yard, I ran low-voltage lighting wire under the sod. This way, I can add pathway and accent lighting to the walls without having to dig up the grass later. Because nothing says "prepared" like thinking ahead for nighttime ambiance.
The Final Takeaway
Was this project easy? Absolutely not. Would I do it again? Probably—because once you start down the DIY path, there’s no turning back. But in the end, the backyard is now party-ready, dog-approved, and built to last (fingers crossed). And if this process can help anyone avoid a spurge invasion or clay soil nightmares, then sharing it was worth it.
Stay tuned for the next phase—because a backyard is never really done, is it? The local rodents seem to think my fresh grass is a buffet, and they're leaving behind little gifts that I don’t recall asking for. Looks like it's time for some strategic rodent control. And while we're at it, a good smart home setup is only as good as its backyard lighting—because parties in the dark lead to banged-up shins and stubbed toes. Oh, and did I mention the plans for fresh foliage and added plants? This backyard glow-up isn’t over yet.
Signed. Sealed. And Sore,
Skott
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