How to level a bumpy lawn

Is your lawn getting harder and harder to walk than a minefield? Tired of the messy, bumpy ground that makes the scene of summer parties on the lawn less than perfect? With a little time and effort, you will have a lawn that will make even the most stubborn neighbor cry with envy.

Table of Contents

Prepare for job

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Check for drainage problems. Before you start doing anything, you should try to find the cause of the bumps in the lawn. Sometimes this is the result of a drainage problem (usually depending on the age of the lawn), or even a broken pipe. If you’ve done a lot of heavy lifting on the lawn in the past few years, this is normal. However, if there are two or three depressions around areas that could be drains, you should consult a professional to make sure there are no leaks.

You can check by turning off the water valve and watching the meter. Notice if the water meter is spinning very slowly. If using a well, pay attention to the pump cycle.

Check sprinkler system. Improperly functioning sprinkler systems are often the cause of uneven lawns. You should test your irrigation system before you begin your lawn remodel. Check the nozzle and spindle for proper functioning and protrusion to the full length (usually about 10 cm), make sure the nozzle is not clogged or damaged or leaking.

Remember that sprinkler systems need maintenance at least once a year or more. Most repairs and maintenance can be done without professional assistance if you do a little research and know the brand of equipment or irrigation system in use.

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Determine the area to be leveled. Do you only have to level up a few small spots in the yard or is it a whole mess? If your yard is too bumpy, it might be better to start over. Determine what you need to do to avoid wasting time and effort.

You may not realize it, but your lawn is slowly reaching the end of its life. In this case, you can do it again by replanting the grass or sowing seeds.

Select the slope for the pitch. A flat lawn is fine, but you also need to consider the slope of the lawn. Experts often recommend creating a slope of the yard away from the house to increase drainage. When planning to level your lawn, you should also think about fixing the slope if you have drainage problems.

Measure the depth of the depressions. If the depressions are relatively shallow, there is no problem. But if the depressions are too deep, you may need to remove the weeds before backfilling.

You can easily measure depth by placing a long straightedge in the depression, then placing the ruler close to the ruler to take the measurement. A depression with a depth of less than 7.5 cm is considered shallow, and above this level is considered deep.

Be careful when timing lawn repairs. For a basic lawn repair, you should try to do it in the spring. This will give the grass seed time to grow and provide moisture for the soil to settle down.

Mixing accretion soil

Add topsoil. Buy high-quality topsoil from gardening stores or soil supply companies. Soil quality is very important in maintaining flatness and helping the grass to grow back.

Add sand. A little sand purchased from a soil supplier will create compaction in the soil mix, which in turn will help restore depressions.

Add compost or organic manure. You should also make sure the soil is rich in nutrients for the grass to grow back quickly and well.

Mix together the ingredients. Mix the ingredients with a ratio of 2 parts topsoil, 2 parts sand and 1 part compost.

Filling the depression

Apply the mixture to the hollows. Find the hollows in the yard and fill in with a well-mixed soil mix, the amount of backfill should be slightly more than the flat surface – level the fill in all directions and fill all the edges.

Level the ground until the surface is level. Use a rake to level the soil mixture and fill in the hollows.

Tighten the soil. Stamp your feet and use the flat side of the rake to compact the soil. You can also rent compactors at major hardware stores. This device also works to prevent depressions from reappearing.

Add water. Lightly water the soil to make it compact.

Let the soil settle. Allow some time for the soil to settle, at least a few days, preferably a week or so.

Replant the grass

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Sprinkle grass seeds. Buy grass seeds that are suitable for your lawn and area and use a hand-held seeder to plant seeds, especially when you have to plant a sizable area. Spread the weed seeds evenly, being careful not to oversow.

Cover topsoil. Sprinkle some topsoil on the grass seed. You need to cover the grass seeds with a layer of topsoil about 1.3 – 2 cm thick so that the grass seeds have good contact with the soil and retain moisture. This also prevents birds from eating grass seeds.

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Gently press the soil down. Use your hands to pat the ground you just sprinkled. Remember that weed seeds must be in contact with the soil and covered, or they will dry out before the next watering and will not grow.

If sowing grass seeds over a large area, you can use a lawn roller.

Water regularly. Lightly spray the lawn four times a day for at least 48 hours after sowing to help the seeds germinate.

Add more seeds if needed. Wait a while for the grass to grow. It may seem like a long time, but be patient. Usually the grass will appear within 21-30 days or sooner. Sow more seeds in the open spaces, if any. Enjoy your lawn!

Wait for the grass to grow to at least 7.5 cm or higher before mowing. Newly planted grass will be pulled up by the lawn mower if it has not had enough time to take root.

Advice

Be sure to level the lawn if you’re replacing the topsoil. Before re-seeding, use a wide rake or a board (tie the rope at both ends and pull behind as you walk) to flatten the ground.
It’s best to do this in the spring or early fall before frost appears.
If there are only a few depressions or a few deep depressions, in the summer you should pile freshly cut grass into the depression. In the fall, they will grow up again beautifully.

Things you need

Land
Grass seeds
Diggers, cultivators or lawn mowers (optional)

Steps