Table of Contents
Use these 8 steps for how to level a yard to ensure great results. STEP 1: Mow Your Lawn. STEP 2: Dethatch Your Lawn [As Needed] STEP 3: Dig up the grass in the sunken area of the lawn. STEP 4: Make Soil Mix: Topsoil, Sand and Compost. STEP 5: Fill Sunken Areas and Holes with Soil Mixture. STEP 6: Even Out the Entire Lawn.
How do I raise the level of my lawn?
Levelling Shallow Areas Put a thin layer over the problem area and spread it across evenly. Push the soil down to compact it with your feet or a flat side of a rake. Water the soil a little and leave it to settle. After a few days you can then add grass seed and another light layer of topsoil.
How much does it cost to raise ground level?
What impacts the cost of land grading? Type of grading Average cost Leveling for concrete patios and driveways $1,000 to $2,500 Land clearing $1,000 to $6,000 per acre Leveling for foundation for new construction or home addition $1,500 to $6,000 Basic lawn re-leveling $1,900.
How much does it cost to level a yard out?
The cost to level a yard is $500 to $5,000 on average, depending on the project size and type, slope, and site conditions. Leveling a small area for a patio or pool costs $500 to $1,000. Leveling an entire backyard to flatten a slope costs $1,000 to $5,000.
Can you put top soil over grass to level?
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. After leveling, fertilize lightly and water the lawn thoroughly.
How do I add soil to my yard level?
Spread a layer of debris-free topsoil or potting soil into the hole—enough to bring the turf patch level with the surrounding lawn. As you work, water the soil lightly to remove air pockets; this helps to prevent future settling. Replace the turf patch, pressing the grass back into place with your hand or foot.
What equipment is needed to level a yard?
If your project consists of just a few square feet, you might be able to get by with just some work gloves, a shovel and a wheelbarrow. If you need more power but still need some flexibility, a mini excavator could do the trick.
How hard is it to grade a yard?
This yard grading project, just like every other project, took a bit of planning. The actual grading of the yard wasn’t difficult at all– except for the mix of 90 degree heat and manual labor. Despite its simplicity, here are some potential items you should address before starting the project.
How do I flatten my backyard?
Add purchased subsoil to the bottom of the slope to build it up. Spread the soil over the ground to create a slight slope away from any nearby buildings. Distribute the soil to create a slope of 12 inches for every 50 square feet of ground. Rake the ground’s surface until it is smooth.
Can you make a sloped backyard flat?
You can make a sloping property more functional by cutting away a portion of a hill and installing a retaining wall to hold back the soil. This is a great opportunity to create a dedicated planting area behind and along the retaining wall, while reclaiming a portion of your yard for an expanse of grass on level ground.
When should I level my lawn?
Grass has a hard time growing through fill deeper than 2 inches. Since we want the grass to rapidly grow through the fill, filling should only be done when the grass is in active growth and before the cool weather of fall. Ideally, apply fill to lawns from April to September.
Does grass grow in 2 inches of soil?
(Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches thick quite easily.) Blending lawn requires patience. Sod was used in places where 2 inches or more of soil needed to be added. In areas where we put down less than 2 inches, the old grass will grow through and blend with the sod (under 2 to 3 inches).
What kind of dirt do you use to level a yard?
There are two main choices for a lawn leveling top dressing: sand or a sand-soil mix. For leveling purposes, pure sand is the quickest and easiest. Sand provides excellent structure and leveling properties, will help with drainage, and can cling to the clay in the soil.
Will a power rake leveling lawn?
I would say if your grass if fairly healthy, but your ground is pretty uneven, a power rake might be a good first step towards leveling.
How can I level my yard without a bobcat?
Excavate soil from the high side of the yard and pile it in on the low side. The goal is to use the excavated soil on an adjacent area downhill to create a level terrace — this is known as the “cut-and-fill” method. Spread the excavated soil with a hard metal rake to make a smooth, level surface.
How do you add elevation to a flat yard?
Try a Sunken Patio. Instead of building up, consider digging down to add level changes to a flat lot. Stack Raised Beds. Add Berms. Go Vertical. Suggest a Stream Bed. Invest in Built-In Planters. Add Boulders. Play With Landforms.
