Most backyards don't start with a perfect, smooth, carpet of turf grass. High traffic, frost heaving, animals, and encroaching weeds can also damage grass and create sunken spots in your yard. Depending on the severity of dips, swales, and low spots, achieving the ideal, level lawn may take a bit of patience and physical labor.
With a few common tools and the right soil mix, you can repair low spots and return your backyard to a lush, level surface for outdoor enjoyment and easier lawn maintenance. Keep reading to learn how to level your backyard with easy methods including sand, topsoil, and compost.
Benefits of Leveling Your Lawn
Leveling your lawn does much more than give your property an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It can help to improve drainage and aid in the overall health and appearance of turf. A level lawn also creates a safe environment of playing surfaces for games and outdoor activities as there is a reduced potential for accidents due to tripping or falling. Another bonus? Mowing the grass will be easier and faster, saving you time to focus on other areas of your yard.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
bow rake
push broom
markers or stakes
hose
garden spade or edger
wheelbarrow (if needed)
mallet
Materials
sand
topsoil
compost
grass seed
gloves
Instructions
How to Level a Lawn
Level lawns with warm-season grass in spring after grass begins actively growing. Cool-season lawns are best leveled in late summer and early autumn. Leveling when the ground is dry is not as physically taxing and is less messy.
Mow and Dethatch the Lawn
Mow the lawn short but avoid scalping down to the stems. You want to maintain grass already growing in areas to be leveled. Scalping, or mowing too short will cause it, along with any new seed, to dry out and struggle.
Check your targeted areas for thatch buildup. If soil is severely compacted, use a hard rake or dethatching tool to loosen it.
Mark Areas to be Leveled
Set stakes at the perimeter corners of areas to be leveled.
Allow six inches to a foot on each side to help you determine how much fill you need.
Remove Existing Grass
Using the garden spade or edger dig straight down two to three inches to cut out existing grass. This is a sufficient depth to capture the roots.
Set the grass aside.
Mix Sand, Topsoil, and Compost
Evaluate existing soil for composition.
Choose one of three options for fill material: sand; a topsoil and compost mix; or a sand, topsoil, and compost mix.
For big repair jobs, use your wheelbarrow to mix materials.
Fill Sunken Areas
Fill the hole or depression with your soil mix.
Use the back of a hard rake to smooth the area.
Place the grass you removed back on top.
Spread grass seed on any bare spots not covered by replaced grass.
Apply and Level the Top Dressing
Add 1/2 inch or less of your soil mix as a top dressing to the repaired area. Too much top dressing can suffocate the roots of the existing grass and prevent seeds from germinating.
Use the push groom to agitate the mix down to soil level by lightly brushing back and forth across the replaced grass.
Don't brush areas with new seeds. Just cover with a thin topdressing. Grass seed requires light to germinate.
Repeat this step if the depression persists but only after the grass begins to grow. Depending on the severity, several applications of top dressing may be needed to achieve the level.
Water the Lawn
Use a hose with a gentle spray attachment or a sprinkler to water the leveled area well.
