Lawn leveling uses a specialized mixture of materials to fill low spots and smooth uneven surfaces across a turf area. This procedure corrects minor to moderate irregularities caused by settling soil, freeze-thaw cycles, or heavy foot traffic. Leveling the lawn offers several practical benefits. It improves the surface for mowing, preventing scalping and leading to a uniform cut. It also improves surface water drainage, preventing standing water and creating a safer environment for recreation.
Selecting the Correct Leveling Material
The material used for leveling, often called topdressing, is a balanced blend designed to provide structure and nutrition without compacting the existing soil. The mixture typically consists of sand, screened topsoil, and compost, with the ratio adjusted based on the lawn’s existing soil type. A commonly recommended blend is approximately 50% sand, 30% screened topsoil, and 20% compost, though a 50/50 sand and topsoil mix is also used.
Fine-grained sand ensures the mixture spreads smoothly and maintains porosity to resist compaction and promote drainage. Screened topsoil provides foundational structure and nutrients. Compost introduces organic matter and beneficial microorganisms, which feed the existing grass. This organic component helps the turf recover faster by improving the soil’s water retention and nutrient cycling capabilities.
Preparing the Lawn for Application
Proper preparation ensures the leveling mixture makes good contact with the soil and that low spots are accurately identified. The lawn should first be mowed at the lowest possible setting, known as scalping, to expose the soil surface and the base of the grass plants. This ultra-low cut allows the topdressing material to filter down effectively to the soil level.
Next, the area must be cleared of debris, such as rocks or fallen branches. For lawns with a thick layer of thatch—the dense layer of organic matter accumulating between the soil surface and the grass blades—dethatching may be necessary. Removing excess thatch, typically anything over a half-inch thick, ensures the leveling mix can incorporate into the underlying soil.
Spreading and Working the Topsoil Mix
The application of the leveling mix focuses on integrating the material into the turf canopy without smothering the grass. The depth of application is critical: a layer no thicker than one-half inch should be applied in any single pass. Applying too much material blocks sunlight and oxygen, effectively suffocating the existing grass plants.
Begin by dumping small piles of the mix across the targeted areas. Use a landscape rake or a specialized leveling screed to spread the piles evenly across the uneven surface. These tools smooth the material, pushing it into depressions and creating a consistent grade.
Once the mix is roughly spread, use a stiff-bristled push broom to work the material down into the grass canopy. Brushing ensures the mix settles around the base of the grass stems and into the low spots. The goal is to leave the grass blades visible and upright for photosynthesis. If low spots require more than a half-inch of material, the process must be repeated in future applications after the grass has fully grown through the first layer.
Post-Leveling Care and Recovery
Immediate care following the application encourages the existing grass to grow through the new layer and helps the mixture settle. Implement a light and frequent watering schedule immediately after the leveling process. This watering washes the fine particles down through the canopy, settling the topdressing material firmly into the low spots and removing trapped air pockets.
The grass needs time to recover before being cut again. Delay the first mowing for one to two weeks, or until the grass blades have grown significantly past the new topdressing layer. If the leveling process exposed bare soil or filled deep spots, overseeding with grass seed directly onto the new material will help establish turf coverage. Continued light watering aids in seed germination, promoting a dense, even lawn surface.