Tired of tripping over your uneven lawn, or mowing too low in spots thanks to those dips and bumps? Even worse, your bumpy lawn may be damaging your lawn mower, knocking lawn mower blades off balance and making for an unpleasant experience for you as the operator. There are many things that can cause a bumpy lawn, from rodents to natural settling. However, lawn grading can help repair these issues, giving you a level yard perfect for summer lawn games and barbeques. A full lawn grading may require you redo your entire yard; however, there are some tips for leveling a yard that will require less drastic measures. Spring and early summer are a great time to level your yard as you’ll often need to grow new grass after filling in the uneven spots. Learn more about how to fix a bumpy lawn below:
Finding the uneven spot
The first step in how to fix a bumpy lawn is to identify your problem spots. You probably know where some of these are already, but mowing your lawn low, also known as scalping, in the early spring will help identify the rest. Normally you don’t want to mow too low as it can damage your lawn, but the steps you will take when grading the lawn will help add back nutrients and create a healthy lawn.
Discovering the source of your problems
Bumpy lawns can occur with time as a lawn freezes and expands, or as spring flooding shifts soil due to improper drainage. They can also be the result of pesky rodents uprooting your yard. If you don’t discover the source of your problem, you could end up facing the same issue again each year. Proper drainage systems and lawn grading can help eliminate soil shifts from spring melt and rain, and traps can be set for moles or groundhogs damaging your lawn. For both these fixes you may want to hire a professional.
Leveling your yard
While some landscapers may recommend rollers for lawn grading, this is an expense you don’t necessarily need to incur. Plus, the weight of the roller could damage your lawn. However, if you have a large property with extensive damage, it may be your best option. If you choose to go this route, only use the roller after a rain as a wet lawn will reshape and recover better than a dry one.
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If you’d rather fix your lawn problems without the cost of a roller, there is a simpler solution. Start by using your shovel to break up the bumps in your lawn. Be prepared for a slight indentation, especially if the bump was caused by a mole’s tunnel. Then, get a mix of sandy topsoil and compost and make your way around the yard, sprinkling about half an inch into each indentation. Doing this each week for a month will allow your grass to continue to grow, filling in the divot and leveling your yard. For large areas, fill in completely with the topsoil-compost mixture, rake until even, pat down with a mechanical tamper, or just your boots, then re-seed and water. You may need to overseed again in a few weeks, depending on how much begins to grow. If natural settling occurs, just add another half inch of the mixture once the grass has sprouted.
Benefits of leveling your yard
With a newly even lawn you should be able set your mowing height to one level, avoid damage to your machine, lawn mower parts and yard, while enjoying a smooth ride. Plus, it will drain properly and be a safer place for you to entertain and your children to play. Remember to wait about a month after the grass seed is planted to mow over your new, level spaces as this will promote healthier regrowth.
