Tumbling Toddler Territory: How to Create a Tree-Stump Free Zone for Your Soon-to-be Toddler

Kids grow up quick. Busy parents can attest to this. A tottering, not to mention determined baby, can learn to walk before you can say "peek-a-boo!" According to research, the average toddler takes 14,000 steps an hour and falls 100 times. That makes the next few weeks or months vital for you as a parent. You need to prepare both your house and your garden to ensure that your soon-to-be toddler is safe as they eagerly utilize their newfound mobility.

While the confines of your house are safe and familiar, toddlers and young children also need to experience the outside world. The best way to facilitate this is via your back yard. Research suggests that children who regularly enjoy outdoors activities are smarter than their indoor-inclined peers. However, if your yard contains tree stumps, you'll need to remove them quickly so that your yard is ready for your free-roaming toddler

Hire a Stump Grinder or Tree Expert

Although it is cheaper to wait a stump out, and then remove it, this could take years. Likewise, killing a stump with chemicals takes 2-4 weeks, and then a few years to decay. While you can speed up the process by chopping the stump into pieces, this would take considerable effort on your part—and precious time. The fastest and most convenient method of removal is by stump grinder.

Either hire a stump grinder for the day and remove the stump yourself or enlist the services of a stump grinding expert to do the job for you. This ensures that the stump is removed quickly and thoroughly. Though you now need to fill in the hole.

Fill in the Hole and Flatten the Ground

Remove any remaining roots or ground up pieces of the stump from the hole before you begin to fill it. Otherwise, the hole will sag later, creating a tripping hazard for your toddler. Ensure that you get as much of the remaining roots as possible as later; the rotted remains will give way, causing a depression to form in the soil.

Now, pack in some soil. Flatten it, pack in some more, and repeat until the hole is filled. Don't level the ground out, however. Leave a slight mound on top as the ground will slowly settle over time and level out on its own. Later, you can plant some grass seed in the area. The main thing is that the stump is now gone, and in a few weeks, your toddler can roam safely in your back yard.

Be sure to trim tree hazardous tree branches, remove prickly plants, and grind out any stumps before your baby learns to walk so that they can get plenty of outdoor play time as they learn to walk and run. 

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