A bumpy and uneven lawn is not only an eyesore, but it can also be potentially dangerous. The likelihood of tripping and falling is significantly higher if you have an uneven lawn.
There are a handful of reasons why you might have an uneven lawn on your hands, but the most common reasons include drainage issues, a leaky pipe below the surface of the lawn, and pests like moles and grubs can cause trouble by messing up the structure of the lawn. It’s always a good idea to diagnose the issue before trying to fix it so you can ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
What causes an uneven lawn?
It’s not unheard of for lawns to develop bumps and become uneven as time goes by. Sometimes, this can just be an unfortunate result of how the lawn settled or drainage issues. For cases that aren’t severe, you can usually just add a layer of leveling mix composed of sand, soil, and compost to top dress the turf.
In more extreme cases, you may have to apply a few different layers of topdressing in order to get the results you want. If you’ve really got a disaster on your hands, say a pipe has burst and a professional needs to come dig it up to fix, then you may have to get fresh soil and seed to get the desired result.
Leveling Yard with Topdressing
When it comes to your lawn leveling mix, you want to ensure the blend you use is free of plant debris and mulch as this can potentially smother your grass. It’s also recommended you use play sand, which can be found at any home hardware store. Using a mixture of 40 percent topsoil, 40 percent sand, and 20 percent compost – as sand helps with draining, while the compost adds vital nutrients – you’ll want to do the following:
- Use a shovel to mix the leveling topdressing in a tub or a wheelbarrow
- Add roughly a half inch of the mix to law laying areas, but no more as this can smother the lawn
- Use a rake to evenly spread out the topdressing
- Next, get a push broom to brush the lawn and really work the mixture in
- Lightly water the area as needed, be sure not to over water as this can wash away the soil mixture
- Inspect the area every few days and monitor growth. Over time, grass should pop up and dirt will disappear – if not, reapply the 1/2 inch mixture and repeat.
Sweeping Dirt Under Turf
When you only have a small sunken area to deal with, simply sweep new dirt underneath by following these steps:
- Cut turf along edges of sunken area
- Remove match and set aside
- Spread layer of lawn leveling soil
- Replace turf and press down into place
- Water and monitor
Take Care of Sunken Areas
When dealing with depressions that are deeper than a few inches, you should consider filling with soil and reseeding. The best way to fill holes is to compact the soil gently and add a little water.
Make sure not to compact the top layer of soil as this is where you’ll put the seed.
Contact Us
There you have it – a few simple ways you can level your uneven lawn and have your lawn looking great again. For more information or assistance handling uneven lawns, call JHC Landscaping Services today.