This residential lawn renovation project is located in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis. The homeowner is experiencing uneven yard grading and poor lawn conditions due to the removal of multiple large trees, which left behind stumps and extensive root systems. These issues have created surface irregularities and have prevented the installation of a new irrigation system. This project focuses on correcting grading issues, restoring damaged lawn areas, and preparing the property for irrigation installation and long-term turf health.

Project Snapshot



Project Location: Robbinsdale, MN

Property Type: Residential

Primary Issue: Uneven grading and lawn damage caused by multiple large tree stumps and root systems, delaying irrigation installation

Solution Installed: Stump and root removal, soil conditioning and regrading, followed by lawn renovation and irrigation preparation

Site Conditions & Constraints

This residential lakefront property in Robbinsdale, MN—a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis—was experiencing declining lawn health due to soil degradation, compaction, and the absence of an irrigation system. The homeowners planned to install a new irrigation system but first needed to correct grading and soil issues across the property. The backyard contained significant high and low areas caused by old tree stumps and extensive root systems, while the front yard was affected by compacted soils that limited water infiltration and root development. Addressing these conditions was necessary to support a healthy lawn and ensure proper irrigation installation.

Solution Options

Soil Conditioning and Lawn Regrading

This option corrects uneven lawn surfaces created by old stumps and root systems, improving overall grading and surface stability. It helps address drainage concerns and creates a uniform base for future lawn renovation and irrigation installation. However, this process requires disruption to existing turf and may require additional soil to achieve proper final grades.

Stump and Root System Removal

Removing remaining stumps and root systems eliminates the risk of future settling and prevents ongoing surface irregularities. This improvement supports long-term lawn usability and prevents interference with irrigation and turf growth. The downside is that stump and root removal can expand the project scope and timeline, and may expose additional grading or soil issues once completed.

Soil Rehabilitation and Compaction Relief

Soil rehabilitation improves water infiltration and supports stronger root development by addressing compacted and degraded soils. This leads to better turf resilience and long-term lawn health. Results can take time to fully develop and this option is often most effective when combined with grading or lawn renovation efforts.

Irrigation System Installation

Installing a new irrigation system provides consistent water coverage and supports healthy turf establishment across the property. It reduces reliance on manual watering and improves long-term lawn performance. However, irrigation is less effective if underlying grading and soil issues are not corrected beforehand and requires upfront investment.

Lawn Renovation and Turf Establishment

Lawn renovation restores turf density and improves overall appearance and usability of the lawn. It is effective at repairing damaged or declining turf areas and works best when paired with improved soil conditions and irrigation. A turf establishment period is required before full use of the lawn, and results depend heavily on proper site preparation and watering.

Integrated Solution Approach:

In many cases, combining multiple solutions—such as stump and root removal, soil conditioning, lawn regrading, and soil rehabilitation—provides the most effective path to restoring lawn health. Addressing these issues before installing a new irrigation system creates a stable foundation for consistent water coverage, improved turf performance, and long-term lawn sustainability. This integrated approach ensures grading, soil structure, and irrigation work together to support a healthy, resilient lawn.

Selected Integrated Solution:

The project moved forward using an integrated approach that combined stump and root removal, soil conditioning, and lawn regrading to address underlying soil and elevation issues throughout the property. Soil conditioning included tilling the top 2–3 inches of existing soil to break up compaction, blend degraded soils, and create a uniform surface that allowed high and low areas to be more easily corrected during grading. Additional soil was brought in to further even out elevations and establish a consistent grade across the backyard. Aeration, overseeding, and topdressing were completed to restore turf density and improve soil performance across both the front and backyard areas. All disturbed areas were stabilized with seed blankets to reduce the risk of washout and support successful lawn establishment, resulting in a healthy, consistent lawn and a stable foundation for future irrigation installation.

(These are seed blankets that improve seeding results drastically vs. not covering bare seeded soil.)

Implementation Approach:

The project was completed in two coordinated phases to properly address site conditions and prepare the property for long-term lawn health. The first phase focused on grinding out remaining tree stumps and tracing and removing associated root systems throughout the backyard. Once the stumps and roots were removed, a soil cultivator was used to till the top layer of soil, breaking up compaction and creating a workable surface. An initial grading pass was then completed to correct major elevation changes and prepare the space for irrigation installation. After this phase was completed, a brand-new irrigation system was installed to provide full coverage across both the front and backyard areas, ensuring consistent water delivery to support the next stage of lawn renovation.

Final Lawn Renovation Phase:
The second phase of the project focused on completing the final lawn renovation after the irrigation system was installed. A final grading pass was completed to smooth areas disturbed during irrigation installation and to refine the significant grade corrections made in the backyard. Prior to adding soil, the front yard was double aerated to relieve compaction and improve overall soil conditions. Approximately three cubic yards of additional soil were then brought in to balance high and low areas and establish a consistent final grade throughout the backyard, while the front and side yards received a light topdressing of approximately ¼ inch of soil.

All disturbed areas across the property were seeded with a premium sun and shade grass seed mix to ensure uniform turf coverage. Following seeding, a starter fertilizer was applied to support early root development and promote strong, consistent germination. The fertilizer used was a mesotrione starter fertilizer that when applied after seeding is used to promote early root development while suppressing weed growth during lawn establishment. Areas that experienced heavier soil disturbance were stabilized with seed blankets to reduce washout, retain moisture, and support reliable grass establishment. These combined improvements restored lawn uniformity, improved soil performance, and established healthy turf across the entire property.

Seed Blankets for Seeding Work

When we repair large section of lawn with bare soil (no existing lawn below) we cover these sections with seed blankets to drastically increase the germination rates and protect the seed for mwash-out via rain and watering, ensuring uniform germination and best possible results. 

The Results

Removing the large stumps and extensive root systems proved to be the turning point for this project. Once these obstructions were eliminated, KG Landscape was able to cultivate the soil using a soil cultivator mounted on a Bobcat and regrade the backyard, correcting the elevation issues that had previously limited performance and usability. This work created a stable, uniform surface that immediately improved how the lawn functioned.



With grading and soil conditions resolved, a new irrigation system was installed across both the front and backyard—an outcome that was not feasible prior to the renovation. With reliable irrigation in place, KG Landscape was able to seed the renovated areas with confidence, knowing the lawn would receive consistent and appropriate water coverage for successful germination. Drainage performance improved as water now moves evenly across the lawn rather than pooling or shedding, while smoother grades restored full usability, allowing the homeowner to comfortably walk the yard and mow without difficulty. Visually, the property now features a clean, uniform lawn free of the humps and depressions caused by buried stumps and roots, positioning the landscape for long-term health and performance.

Why This Solution Worked for This Property

This solution was successful because it directly addressed the site-specific conditions that were limiting lawn health and usability at this Robbinsdale, MN lakefront property. The presence of compacted soils in the front yard and degraded, uneven soils in the backyard—caused by large stumps and extensive root systems—required more than surface-level improvements. By removing the stumps and roots and cultivating the upper soil layer, KG Landscape was able to reset the soil profile and create a workable surface for accurate grading.

The backyard’s uneven layout, with significant high and low areas and a gentle slope toward the lakefront, made proper grading essential before any irrigation or lawn renovation could take place. Correcting these elevation issues first ensured improved drainage performance and provided a stable foundation for irrigation installation. Once irrigation was in place, the property could reliably support new turf establishment—something that was not possible under the previous conditions.

Most importantly, this approach aligned with the homeowner’s primary goal of achieving a healthy, functional lawn that could be easily maintained and used for everyday activities and entertaining. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all lawn renovation, the project combined targeted stump and root removal, soil conditioning, grading, and irrigation preparation based on the property’s unique soil conditions and layout. This tailored strategy allowed each phase of work to build on the last, resulting in a lawn that performs well, looks uniform, and is positioned for long-term success.

If your Robbinsdale property is dealing with uneven grading, old stumps, or lawn conditions that are holding back your next improvement, a site evaluation is a good place to start. KG Landscape can assess what's going on below the surface and help you understand your options before committing to a plan.