How To Level A Lawn – Everything You Need To Know
An uneven lawn is not only aesthetically unappealing, but it is also a pain to mow and potentially dangerous. If you start to notice a bumpy ride while using your lawn mower rather than a flat one, this means it’s probably time to level your lawn. You will also be able to spot it just by walking around or simply looking at it, depending on how severe the issue is. A bumpy lawn can also be a safety hazard as trips, falls, and sprained ankles are more than likely. Yikes! Who wants to go and break a leg in their own backyard? Leaving the lawn as is will probably also lead to even more lawn damage, so it’s best to tackle the problem as early as possible. Many events can cause your lawn to become uneven, but you shouldn’t let them derail all your landscaping efforts. So, let’s see how to level a lawn easily.
An uneven lawn is aesthetically unappealing and potentially dangerous
In this article
What Causes An Uneven Lawn?
There are many things that can cause your lawn to become uneven or bumpy. Usually, the main culprits tend to be animals, like cats, foxes, and moles that are looking for food and have no shame digging for it. However, it may also be caused by children playing on the lawn when the soil is too soft or by pests disrupting your soil layers. Different lawn diseases may also cause a bumpy lawn, as they can weaken and kill the grass, which causes bare spots that can easily become eroded by the natural elements. Another problem that can cause an uneven lawn is waterlogging which happens when surface water is allowed to sit, it can cause long-term damage. It’s important to treat these issues as they are the root of the problem, so you don’t have to constantly level your lawn.
Another common problem that can cause an uneven and bumpy lawn is waterlogging
How To Level A Lawn
Before you start leveling your lawn, no matter how deformed it is, you need to de-thatch it. Thatch is that spongy later that builds up when the grass grows dater than it is decomposing. By removing this layer you will get a better idea of what the extent of the unevenness is and what dips and ridges need to be addressed. After you have done that you can begin leveling. The process may differ a bit depending on the severity of the case. Oh, and if you notice too many low spots around water pipes, it may be best to ask for professional help, instead of doing it on your own as the issue may be more serious than you know.
Before you start leveling your lawn, no matter how deformed it is, you need to de-thatch it
Mildly Uneven
It’s best to level out your lawn between March and October, as it is still actively growing and the weather is more stable. If the current weather conditions are unfavorable, it’s best not to level your lawn. This means if the lawn is frozen, waterlogged, stressed from pests and diseases, or is currently being treated for other issues.
It’s best to level out your lawn between March and October
What You’ll Need:
- Rake or leveling rake
- Wheelbarrow or container
- Compost
- Sand, fine
- Topsoil
- Push broom
- Grass seeds
Method:
- First, you need to make a mixture of equal parts topsoil, compost, and sand in your wheelbarrow or container.
- Then you need to fill in all the holes in your lawn with at least half an inch of the mixture.
- Take your rake and smooth the mixture over. Then blend the area with the push broom. You can also use a lawn roller or another type of compacting tool.
- Once you have leveled everything out, it’s time to add new grass seeds if needed.
- Water your seeds regularly and wait for the grass to grow.
- Repeat if needed.
Tip: Depending on your soil type you may need to change up the mixture a bit. If you have soil that is high in clay content, you can use more compost or even just compost. If your soil is loamy, mix just topsoil and compost. You can do a DIY soil test to determine your soil type.
Depending on your soil type you may need to change up the leveling mixture a bit
Moderately Uneven
Okay, if your lawn has a bit more dips and bumps than you would like, it will take some extra effort to smooth things over. You can still do this process on your own, however, if you have very deep depressions or a lot of holes for you to handle, it may be best to call in the professionals, so you avoid doing further damage.
Take your rake, mixture and the shovel and smooth out any high hills and holes
What You’ll Need:
- Rake or leveling rake
- Lawnmower
- Aerator
- Shovel
- Sand
- Compost
- Topsoil
- Grass seeds (optional)
Method:
- First, you need to mow the lawn on the lowest possible setting your lawn mower offers.
- Then take your rake and the shovel and smooth out any high hills and holes. You can also use a lawn roller or a compacting tool.
- You will need to dig out your turf and leave it to the side for the time being until it is time to replant it again. It’s best to leave it in a shady spot.
- Mix together the topsoil, compost, and sand in equal amounts and fill the dips until the area is leveled. You can use water to remove any air pockets that build up in the soil.
- Aerate your lawn.
- Finally, either replace the turf or reseed it with grass seeds. Try to stay off the lawn for the next few weeks and keep it well-watered.
You will need to mow your lawn on the lowest possible setting your lawn mower offers
Benefits of Leveling
There are many benefits to leveling your lawn. The first and most obvious one is that it improves its aesthetic appeal, but it also prevents water from pooling in low-lying areas, removes the danger of tripping, and it’s much easier to mow and care for an even lawn. Not only that but leveling also ensures consistent soil depth which means your grass will grow healthier, greener, and denser. Plus, let’s not forget that a good-looking lawn adds value to your property if you are looking to sell it. And let’s not forget that a leveled lawn means the chances of someone tripping and hurting themselves are at a minimum.
There are many benefits to leveling your lawn
This was everything you need to know about how to level a lawn. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can easily level it out and have the yard of your dreams. You won’t have to worry about anybody falling and hurting themselves and the visual appeal will be much more satisfying.
This was everything you need to know about how to level a lawn
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