One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to lawns is how to level a lawn. When considering the question, "how to level my lawn," many people feel this is too difficult a task to take on themselves, however, it is easy to level a lawn and it doesn't have to be expensive either.
The best time to fill uneven lawn low spots is during vigorous growth, which usually depends on the type of grass grown but normally during spring and summer.
Should You Level a Lawn Using Sand?
Sand is oftentimes used to level lawns, but putting sand on lawns can cause problems. You should never use pure sand to level a lawn. Most lawns contain a lot of clay, which already makes growing grass difficult.
However, adding pure sand on top of the clay only creates further problems by turning the soil into a nearly hardened cement-like consistency, as drainage abilities are worsened. Sand also dries out rapidly in summer, causing any grass that may be growing to suffer in the heat.
Grass growing in the sand is also more susceptible to drought and cold injury. Avoid putting sand on a lawn by itself. Using a dry topsoil and sand mix is much better for leveling uneven areas than putting sand on a lawn without mixing.
Filling Low Spots in the Lawn
You can easily make your own lawn patching soil by mixing sand and dry topsoil in equal parts of half-and-half, spreading the leveling mix into low-lying areas of the lawn. Some people also use compost, which is great for enriching the soil. Only add one-half inch (1.5 cm.) of soil mix to the low spots at a time, leaving any existing grass showing through.
After leveling, fertilize lightly and water the lawn thoroughly. You may still notice some low areas in the lawn but it's oftentimes best to allow the grass to grow up through the soil for at least a month before repeating the process. After about four to six weeks, another half-inch (1.5 cm.) of the dry topsoil mix can be added to the remaining areas.
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Keep in mind that deeper areas of the lawn, which are more than an inch (2.5 cm.) lower than the soil, require a slightly different approach. To fill uneven lawn low spots like these, first remove the grass with a shovel and fill in the depression with soil mix, laying the grass back in place. Water and fertilize thoroughly.
Now that you know how to level a lawn, you do not need to go out and hire an expensive professional. With a little time and effort, you can fill uneven lawn ruts and indentations in no time.
FAQs
Prepare a 50/50 mix of dry topsoil and fine sand in a wheelbarrow. Make sure that the mixture is dry before continuing. Use a shovel to scoop up mixture and fill in low areas of the lawn. Only fill in half-an-inch at a time.
What is the best way to fill in low spots in a yard? ›
To fill in lawn ruts and holes, blend planting soil with sand and/or compost. Usually blending equal parts of each material forms a mix that allows grass to root effectively through the mix into existing soil. Check with your local extension agent or garden center for specific soil recommendations for your area.
How do you level an extremely uneven lawn? ›
Step-by-step guide: Step 1: Prepare your topsoil mixture by combining equal parts of topsoil and sand. Step 2: Spread the prepared soil mix over the divots and sunken areas in your lawn. Step 3: Use a shovel to remove excess soil and create a level surface for high spots or bumps.
Can you put top soil over grass to level? ›
Leveling Purposes
If your lawn has uneven areas or depressions, laying topsoil over the grass can effectively level the surface, providing a smoother, more even terrain for healthy grass growth.
How do I get my lawn to be perfect level? ›
To level a bump in the lawn dig out the excess soil until level with the surrounding area, tread down and fold the flaps of turf back over. To fill a hollow use a garden fork to turn over the soil to about 5cm deep, removing any large stones and breaking down any large clumps.
Should I use sand or topsoil to level my yard? ›
However, in many cases, the sand can benefit from being mixed with topsoil when used to level a lawn. The mixture helps aid in drainage and, particularly when there's clay soil present, the topsoil can prevent the clay and sand from compacting.
What is the best fill to level a yard? ›
A sand-soil mixture is the best soil type for leveling lawns. Because it will help your lawn grow after leveling. This is considerably better than putting pure sand in a lawn area without any kind of combination. Sand-soil combinations contain nutrients and have a long-lasting capacity to retain water.
How do I get my lawn to the next level? ›
- Feed 4 times a year. Yes, you read that right. ...
- Mow at the right time and height. Another lawn secret the pros know is that when and how you mow can make a huge difference in the look of the lawn. ...
- Water the lawn properly. ...
- Use premium grass seed. ...
- Spot-control weeds. ...
- Prevent grubs.
Bulldozers. Bulldozers' incredible size and power make them some of the best equipment for leveling ground for large projects.
Can you put topsoil over fill dirt? ›
If you are starting a lawn from sod, amend the fill dirt, pack it down tightly, and lay the sod on top of it. If you are starting a lawn from seed, pack the fill dirt down tightly, add a 4- to 6-inch layer of topsoil, and then sow the seed.
If you're looking to level a bumpy lawn, the general rule of thumb is to use between 2-3cm of topsoil – we've also created the ultimate guide to levelling a lawn.
How to fill large low spots in a lawn? ›
Prepare a 50/50 mix of dry topsoil and fine sand in a wheelbarrow. Make sure that the mixture is dry before continuing. Use a shovel to scoop up mixture and fill in low areas of the lawn. Only fill in half-an-inch at a time.
How to level a very uneven lawn? ›
Fill low spots (holes or depressions in your lawn) with the sand, compost, or topsoil mixture. The goal is to make any low areas flush with the surrounding lawn. Your leveling rake will make quick work of this process. Use your feet during leveling to compact the soil into the low spot.
How do you fill in a low wet spot in your yard? ›
Here's how:
- Remove all leaves, plants (including grass) and other loose material from the depression.
- Fill the depression with topsoil (or if near the foundation of the house, with fill soil) and compact using a tamper or a similar device. ...
- Grade the filled-in depression so that water will not stagnate.
You will get the best lawn leveling results from fine masonry sand or something similar. Its smaller particles will be able to more easily fill any small dips or depressions.
How to fix a low-lying yard? ›
There are several methods to correct water pooling on your lawn:
- Add topsoil to level out the low areas.
- Add sand and compost to your soil to aid in draining.
- Install a trench drain to channel standing water away.
Earthgro Fill Dirt is a general purpose soil that is ideal for filling holes and leveling low areas. This regionally-formulated soil can also be used to build landscape beds and gardens straight from the bag for hassle-free use. Earthgro Fill Dirt is not intended for planting occasions and does not contain fertilizer.
