Monthly Archives: December 2014

Step 1

Use a manual edger, spade and wheel barrel to collect excess grass which has overgrown onto driveways, sidewalks and walkways.

Step 2

Find a shaded area in your back yard which struggles to develop a strong root system.

Step 3

Buy 20 to 40 feet of black landscaping edging to shape the area you want to turn into a chipping and putting area.

Step 4

To limit weeds from invading your space, place a weed inhibitor underneath the landscaping edging.

Step 5

Depending upon the size of you want, purchase enough bags of pea gravel to give your green the shape you desire.

Step 6

Before adding the yard waste you have collected, you will need 3 inch white plumber cup links to use as hole, sticking the smaller end into the ground with the top serving as a hole slightly smaller than an actual hole you’ll find on a golf course.

Step 7

Take the strips of grass you have accumulated from edging, placing it on the outside of your edging to provide contour for your chipping area.

 Step 8

Use the left over dirt from edging to place over top of the pea gravel surrounding your hole or holes.  If you don’t have enough dirt, you can create a low area for drainage purpose, giving you enough to cover your entire surface.  Use a flat sole shoe to gently tamp the area around each hole and inside of the edging.  Hand tamper can be used once the pea gravel settles into the soil, usually 6 months to a year.

Step 9

Since rain will cause soil to erode, shifting from the edges toward to low areas, try to add additional soil when using your compost pile or add bags of top soil you can find at your local hardware store.

Step 10

For arid regions, I recommend burning leaves, ornamental clippings and fallen branches in a fire pit if your city, county or state allows.  Use the leftover ash as filler, sweeping it into cracks that develop in the summer.

Step 11

For yards with poor drainage, I created a retaining pond, placing drain tile underneath my green, flowing toward the lowest section in my backyard.  I used old pieces of wood to prevent cave ins or further erosion.

Step 12

Finally, if you don’t have time or the money to play a full round of golf, you can always add sand to your drainage area in the summer, bringing the golf course to your home.  I spend $20-$30 a year of annual maintenance, usually on dirt and sand.  However, each year I add another feature or hole, turning yard waste into a golfer’s paradise.

by Jay Mankus