Low spots, ruts, and sunken areas are common problems in yards that create unstable walking surfaces and lead to poor water drainage. These depressions can be a safety hazard, particularly when obscured by taller grass, and they interfere with lawn equipment during mowing. The goal of filling these holes is to restore a smooth, safe, and functional surface that blends seamlessly with the surrounding turf. This outcome depends on selecting the right material and applying it with a specific technique to ensure long-term stability and healthy grass regrowth.
Selecting the Best Material for Lawn Repair
The best material for filling holes in a lawn is not pure topsoil or pure sand, but a specialized mixture called a leveling mix or topdressing blend. This blend provides both stability and the necessary environment for grass to grow through it successfully. A recommended composition includes a significant portion of coarse sand combined with high-quality, pulverized topsoil or compost.
The sand component (60 to 80 percent of the volume) is inert and will not break down over time, which prevents future settling. Coarse sand, such as masonry sand, also promotes excellent drainage, preventing water from pooling in the repaired area. Using pure sand should be avoided, however, as it lacks the nutrients and organic matter required to sustain healthy turf roots.
Conversely, using pure topsoil is unsuitable because its high organic matter content will naturally decompose and compact, causing the depression to reappear within a season or two. The ideal blend provides the structural stability of sand while incorporating 20 to 40 percent organic matter, such as screened loam or compost, to hold nutrients and encourage root development. A common ratio is 70 percent sand to 30 percent loam or finished compost, offering a balance between permanence and fertility.
Preparation Before Filling
Before introducing any leveling material, the depressed area requires careful preparation to ensure a lasting repair that avoids layering issues. Begin by mowing the surrounding grass to a lower height and clearing debris, rocks, or dead plant material from the hole. This ensures a clean, unobstructed surface for the new material.
For shallow depressions, scarify the existing soil at the base of the hole using a rake or garden fork to loosen the surface. This allows the new leveling mix to physically integrate with the native soil, preventing a distinct layer from forming that could impede water and nutrient movement. When dealing with deeper ruts or holes where the turf is still present, the sod can be carefully sliced and lifted with a flat-edged shovel, setting it aside for reinstallation later.
Filling and Leveling Technique
The technique for applying the leveling mix depends on the hole’s depth and must prioritize the health of any existing grass. For minor low spots where turf is still growing, apply the material in a thin layer, generally no more than one-half inch (10 millimeters) deep at a time. Applying too much material will smother the existing grass blades and kill the turf beneath.
Use a landscape rake or a straight edge, such as a long 2×4, to gently push and pull the material across the area, ensuring it settles into the depression. The goal is to “feather” the edges, creating a smooth, gradual transition from the filled spot to the surrounding lawn. For holes deeper than one inch, apply the mix in stages, allowing the grass to grow through the first layer before applying a subsequent thin layer.
Avoid heavy mechanical compaction of the material, as this can impede drainage and root growth. Instead, a gentle tamping with the back of a rake or a light watering is sufficient to help the material settle naturally. The new material should be slightly overfilled to account for the minor settling that will occur after the first few waterings.
Re-establishing Turf
Following the leveling process, re-establish the turf to complete the repair and protect the new soil from erosion. If the existing turf was sliced and lifted for a deep hole, carefully place the sod back into the filled area, ensuring the edges meet tightly with the surrounding lawn. For filled areas where the existing grass was covered, or if the original hole was bare, overseeding is the most common method for turf restoration.
Spread a grass seed blend that matches the existing lawn type over the filled area, and lightly rake it into the top layer of the leveling mix to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. New seed requires consistent moisture to germinate, so the repaired area must be watered lightly and frequently throughout the day until the seedlings are established. Monitor the repaired spot for several weeks after application, as minor secondary settling may occur after heavy rain, and a small amount of additional mix can be spot-treated into any new depressions.