Leveling a lawn, often called top dressing for level correction, involves applying a thin layer of material to fill depressions and smooth out the surface profile. This practice eliminates tripping hazards and prevents water pooling, which can lead to poor drainage and unhealthy turf. A level lawn also improves maintenance efficiency, allowing for easier, more consistent mowing without scalping high spots. This guide is tailored for the warm-season turf varieties common across Australia, such as Buffalo, Couch, and Kikuyu.
Preparing the Lawn and Optimal Timing
Achieving a perfectly level surface begins with thorough preparation of the existing turf. The first step involves “scalping” the lawn, which means mowing the grass significantly lower than its usual height. This aggressive cut exposes the low spots and undulations, making it much easier to identify where the leveling material needs to be applied.
Before applying any mix, consider the soil’s current condition, as compacted soil can hinder the grass’s recovery. Core aeration is highly beneficial for compacted lawns, as it creates channels for air and water to penetrate and encourages root growth into the new material. This process must be timed to coincide with the grass’s most vigorous growing period, typically from late spring through summer. Warm-season Australian grasses like Couch and Kikuyu recover quickly during this time, ensuring the turf can rapidly grow through the applied material.
Creating the Right Top Dressing Mix
The composition of the top dressing material is important for the successful leveling of Australian lawns. The ideal mix is a blend designed for optimal drainage and nutrient support, not simply heavy topsoil which can compact and impede growth. A widely accepted ratio for general leveling is approximately 70% washed sand mixed with 30% sandy loam or quality compost.
The coarse, washed river sand or plasterers’ sand is used because it does not break down or settle over time, ensuring the level correction is permanent. Loam or compost is added to provide organic matter and nutrients, which encourages the grass roots to grow into the new layer. For soft-leaf Buffalo varieties, which have above-ground runners, use a mix with a slightly lower sand percentage, as an excessive sand layer can damage the surface runners and slow recovery. Avoid using generic potting mix or bricklayer’s sand, as these materials often have poor drainage or high clay content that can severely harm the turf.
Spreading and Leveling the Material
The application of the top dressing mix requires a careful, methodical approach to ensure an even finish. Begin by distributing the material across the lawn in small, manageable piles, focusing initially on the most significant depressions. Use a leveling screed, a specialized tool with a long, straight edge, or a sturdy leveling rake to drag the material across the surface.
The goal is to push the mix into the low spots and lightly spread it over the higher areas, working in multiple directions to achieve uniformity. Maintain a maximum application depth of 10 to 15 millimeters in a single session. Applying too much material will bury and smother the grass blades, preventing photosynthesis and killing the turf. The tips of the existing grass blades must remain visible above the leveling mix so the plant can continue to grow. Finally, use a stiff-bristled broom or a plastic rake to work the sand and soil mixture down into the turf’s canopy and thatch layer, ensuring solid contact with the soil underneath.
Watering and Lawn Recovery
Careful watering immediately following the application is important for successful turf recovery. The newly applied mix must be kept consistently damp to encourage the grass to grow rapidly through the layer. For the first week, apply light, frequent watering sessions, perhaps two to three times daily, depending on the weather, to prevent the material from drying out completely.
This frequent, shallow watering keeps the topdressing moist, facilitating the movement of new grass shoots upward. Once the new growth is clearly visible and the grass begins to green up significantly, transition back to your lawn’s normal, deeper watering schedule. Wait to perform the first mow until the new grass has grown approximately two to three centimeters above the applied layer, which typically takes one to two weeks. A successful leveling job is confirmed when the surface is uniformly smooth and the turf has completely grown through the material, showing no signs of yellowing or stress.