For each of us our yard represents something, whether it’s a play area for you and the kids or a tranquil area for alone time and meditation. Unfortunately as time progresses your yard can become warped and bumpy causing you or the kids to trip and injure themselves, makes it easier to accidentally scalp your lawn when mowing and overall can be very unsightly to look at.
This is where leveling your lawn comes in. These quick and easy steps will get you that golf course level surface you want
So keep reading to find out about some of the causes of an unleveled lawn and how to fix it.
What causes it
Critters big and small
Some animals have the tendency of digging into your lawn for whatever reason. Depending on the critter this can cause either very large and obvious destruction or somewhat more unnoticeable damage that forms into an unlevel surface
Foot traffic
Constant movement in the yard from family, friends or even pets applies pressure to the soil which then creates unevenness throughout your lawn.
Pipes and irrigation lines
Your underground water distribution network can be the cause of your bumpy lawn. Leaky pipes can form pockets of water that erode the soil.
Tools checklist
Gorilla cart (preferable) or wheelbarrow
Leveling rake
Shovel
Leveling Your Lawn
#1 Mow Low
The soil is what is being leveled, not the grass, so mow the lawn as low as you can get it. A ½ inch or even a ¼ inch if you can get it that low would be ideal.
#2 Prepare leveling mix
Fill the wheelbarrow with your chosen mix. Leveling mix is dependent on the severity of the job. To fill ½ inch an 80-20 mix of 80% sand and 20% peat works fine. On the other hand a 50-50 mix should be used for 1-3 inch ruts. If it was easy for grass to grow in the desert then it’d be a forest; So the deeper the depressions, the more organic matter should be used.
Also, ensure the mix is dry. Wet mix doesn’t spread evenly and can create the same bumpiness that you were trying to get rid of in the first place.
#3 Spread on lawn
Using the shovel, scope out some mix and place over problem areas. Spread mix using leveling rake and work into soil as thoroughly as possible.
#4 Water
Water the yard lightly. This’ll help compact the material, making it harder for it to shift out of place. Heavy showers can move the material.
Anything Else
Well there’s not much but if you want, overseeding your lawn after you level is a good idea.
