Leveling Out an Uneven Lawn

Having an uneven lawn can be frustrating. Large bumps, dips, and depressions in your yard not only look unsightly, but they can also create problems with mowing, irrigation, and proper drainage. Thankfully, leveling out an uneven lawn is totally doable as a DIY project if you have the right materials and put in a little elbow grease. We’ll walk through everything you need to know to get your lawn smooth and flat again.

Why Lawn Leveling is Important

Before jumping into the leveling process, it’s helpful to understand why lawn leveling is so important for the health and appearance of your yard. Here are some of the top reasons you may need to level your lawn:

• Improves mowing: When grass is growing on a bumpy, uneven surface, it becomes harder to mow. The mower blades will scalp dips and miss higher patches, leaving your lawn looking ragged and untidy after mowing. Leveling removes the highs and lows for an even cut.
• Allows proper drainage: Low spots in your yard can collect water and become muddy pits after rain or irrigation. By filling in depressions, leveling encourages proper drainage so water flows off grass evenly.
• Reduces trip hazards: Bumps and holes in your lawn aren’t just unsightly, they can also lead to twisted ankles or tripping for those using the yard. Leveling removes safety hazards.
• Enhances aesthetics: An uneven lawn simply doesn’t look as attractive as a smooth, flat, and lush lawn. Leveling fixes dips, hills, and bumps for a flawless appearance.
• Improves irrigation coverage: Sprinklers struggle to water bumpy, uneven lawns effectively. Leveling ensures irrigation systems distribute water evenly across the entire yard.
• Allows for even fertilizer distribution: Spreading fertilizer evenly is difficult on an uneven surface. Leveling removes variables in terrain so nutrients get incorporated consistently.
• Reduces soil compaction: Compacted soil prevents grass roots from growing deeply and thriving. Leveling loosens heavily compacted areas for healthier turf.
• Makes mowing easier: Pushing a lawn mower over a bumpy lawn requires extra work. Leveling maximizes ease of mowing so your mower glides smoothly over the yard.
• Fixes pet urine patches: Depressions from pet urine kills grass over time. Leveling fills in sunken areas to allow new grass growth.

Clearly lawn leveling provides huge benefits for the function and appearance of your yard.

When to Level Your Lawn

Timing is an important consideration when it comes to lawn leveling. You want to level at the optimal time to give grass the best chance to establish and fill in bare areas before hot weather arrives.

The best time to level a lawn is early fall just after summer’s heat has passed. September and October are ideal lawn leveling months in most regions. Fall allows newly seeded grass several weeks to sprout and mature before winter dormancy.

Late spring can also work for lawn leveling, as long as temperatures are mild and consistent moisture is available. Avoid leveling during the heat of summer or cold of winter when grass growth is stunted.

No matter when you choose to level, make sure not to level immediately before or after core aeration, as this can undo the benefits of aeration. Allow at least 4 weeks between aerating and leveling for best results.

How to Level a Lawn

Now that you know why and when to tackle lawn leveling, let’s look at the process step-by-step:

Gather Materials and Tools

Leveling a lawn requires a few key materials and tools:

• Topsoil or compost: Choose organic topsoil or compost without excessive clay content for filling low areas.
• Sand: Sand helps topsoil and compost settle into depressions without shrinking. Use course builder’s sand.
• Rake: A stiff metal rake with short, rigid tines is best for smoothing and spreading topdressing.
• Shovel: Use a large scoop shovel to spread materials efficiently over the lawn.
• Push broom: Optional for smoothing out topdressing after spreading.
• Leveling drag: A large piece of chain link fence or a purpose-made leveling drag helps settle materials.
• Drop or broadcast spreader: Used to achieve an even application when topdressing a very bumpy lawn.
• Lawn roller: Rolling after leveling presses materials into low spots to prevent shifting.

Remove Debris and Vegatation

The first step is to remove debris, rocks, sticks, leaves, and dead vegetation from the lawn using a rake, shovel, or debris-collecting mower attachment. This prevents foreign objects from getting buried and creates better contact between grass and soil.

Next, dethatch if necessary remove any excess thatch greater than 1/2 inch deep. Excessive thatch will prevent proper leveling. Mow the lawn shorter than usual, around 1-2 inches, before leveling to allow materials to reach soil level when spread.

Water the Lawn

Water your lawn thoroughly several hours before leveling. This allows the soil to absorb maximum moisture. Working with slightly damp soil prevents topdressing materials from blowing away and makes shoveling and raking easier.

Avoid working on bone dry soil that will kick up dust clouds when spread. But also avoid overly wet soil or you may create more bumps from equipment rutting. Proper moisture also encourages fast recovery of existing turf.

Spread Topdressing

With your materials staged nearby, use a shovel and rake to spread a 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer of topdressing mix across the yard’s low spots and depressions. Remove any bumps or hills first with a shovel and add soil as needed to create a flat grade.

Work methodically section by section until the whole yard achieves a smooth, even surface at the desired grade. Take care not to bury grass leaves under more than 1/2 inch of soil to avoid turf die off. Add thinner layers of 1/8-1/4 inch over thick grass.

For very bumpy lawns, a drop or broadcast spreader allows an even application of topdressing soil across the entire lawn before raking into low areas only.

Smooth and Level Topdressing

Once topdressing is in place, use a rake or broom to smooth and level the materials. Work topdressing back and forth to settle it into low spots. Avoid creating peaks or new uneven layers. The lawn should feel flat and uniform when walking across it after leveling.

Optional: Roll the Lawn

For maximum compaction, roll the newly leveled lawn using a water-filled lawn roller. This presses topdressing firmly into low areas and compacts it evenly with surrounding soil to prevent sinking or shifting later on. Don’t roll excessively to avoid over-compaction.

Re-seed Bare Areas

Once leveling is complete, re-seed any remaining bare or thin spots with fresh grass seed suited to the yard’s sun exposure and climate zone. This accelerates the filling in of bare areas.

Water Thoroughly

Water thoroughly after leveling and continue frequent watering for 2-4 weeks. This encourages grass plants to root deeply into the new soil layer and speeds the filling in of bare patches from seeding. Gradually taper off watering as grass establishes.

Common Problems When Leveling a Lawn

While lawn leveling is a relatively straightforward DIY project, there are a few potential problems to watch out for:

• Too much or too little soil – Adding excessive soil smothers grass rather than just filling low spots. Not using enough fails to level fully. Add 1/4 to 1/2 inch at a time.
• Burying grass leaves – If existing grass leaves become buried under too much soil they can die off. Keep soil depth under 1/2 inch.
• Compacting soil – Excessive rolling or foot traffic compacts soil, stifling grass root growth. Roll lightly if needed.
• Uneven settling – Added soil may settle unevenly over time, reversing leveling work. Allow soil to settle fully before reseeding.
• Too much foot traffic – High traffic on newly leveled areas can compact soil before grass establishes. Limit access until turf is mature.
• Mowing too soon – Mowing right after leveling can rip up loose soil and grass plants. Allow several mowings before normal cut height resumes.
• Improper timing – Leveling in summer heat or just before winter won’t provide the growing conditions for turf to recover fully.
• Poor drainage – Compacted soil won’t drain properly, causing ponding in low areas. Ensure proper drainage or improve soil quality.
• Ruts from equipment – Ruts and depressions from mowers, tractors, or foot traffic require releveling.

With care taken during the process, most potential issues with lawn leveling can be avoided.

Does Lawn Leveling Require Special Skills or Tools?

The good news about DIY lawn leveling is that it does not require special skills, equipment, or labor. Here are the basic skills and tools needed:

Skills:

• Ability to use a shovel, rake, and lawn roller
• General lawn care experience
• Eye for grading a flat level over distance

Tools:

• Flat shovel
• Metal garden rake
• Optional push broom
• Garden hose and sprinkler
• Landscape rake or leveling drag
• Lawn roller
• Broadcast spreader (for very uneven lawns)

With these basic tools and skills, any homeowner can achieve professional-looking lawn leveling results. No need to hire a specialist or invest in expensive equipment. Just a little elbow grease!

The most important skills are patience and care not to bury grass leaves or overly compact the soil when leveling. Work slowly and methodically section by section until the desired flat grade is achieved across the entire lawn.

Will Leveling My Lawn Get Rid of Bumps and Ruts?

Yes, lawn leveling is highly effective at removing bumps, ruts, rises and depressions in your yard for a perfectly flat surface.

By spreading a measured layer of topdressing soil over dips and rises, you can eliminate uneven terrain and create a flawlessly smooth lawn.

Depressions from tire ruts, pet urine damage, bumpy soil under sod, erosion, burrowing rodents, and more can all be remedied through proper topdressing and lawn leveling methods.

Any bumps or depressions up to 4 inches deep can typically be remedied with one or repeated leveling efforts. Just be sure not to bury existing grass leaves under excess soil depth.

The key is applying a thin and even layer of topdressing mix across all low areas to gradually bring the grade up to level without drastic soil buildup in any one place.

When performed in early fall, spring, or mid-summer, leveling out severe lawn bumps and ruts yields dramatically improved results in the yard’s appearance and functionality within a single growing season.

Should I Dethatch Before or After Leveling?

Dethatching and lawn leveling are two common fall lawn care practices. But is it better to dethatch before or after leveling a bumpy lawn?

Here are the pros and cons of dethatching both before and after leveling:

Dethatching Before Leveling

• Removes excess thatch so soil has direct contact with grass
• Thatching tines can pull up high spots to partially smooth surface
• Allows maximum depth of topdressing materials
• Can encourage faster breakdown of topdressing
• Causes extra disruption of grass before leveling

Dethatching After Leveling

• Avoids excessive disruption of grass before leveling project
• Leveling materials help stabilize exposed soil after dethatching
• Allows freshly leveled soil to settle fully before dethatching
• Dethatching helps smooth any minor uneven areas of topdressing

In most cases, it’s best to dethatch a lawn before major leveling efforts. Removing excess thatch allows for maximum depth of topdressing to reach the soil layer and fill in low spots.

However, if the lawn has less than 1/2 inch of thatch, either order can work. Just avoid dethatching immediately before or after lawn aeration, and allow grass to recover several weeks between disruptive projects like dethatching and leveling.

How Long Does It Take for a Leveled Lawn to Smooth Out?

After investing significant effort into leveling, it’s natural to ask: how long until I can enjoy the results?

Most leveled lawns will smooth out noticeably after just one mowing, or about 3-5 days after leveling. This “scalping” mow helps blend uneven areas.

But allow 2-4 weeks for the lawn to fully smooth out as soil settles and new grass grows in bare patches. Avoid excessive traffic during this time and irrigate regularly to help grass establish.

The timeline also depends on the severity of bumps and depressions before leveling:

• Minor dips and rises: 1-2 weeks to smooth out
• Moderate uneven terrain: 3-4 weeks to smooth out
• Major bumps and dips: May require releveling for full results after 4-8 weeks

Weather conditions also impact how quickly leveled ground settles and smoothes. Cool fall temperatures slow the smoothing process compared to warm spring and summer weather.

Be patient for a few weeks to enjoy a perfectly flat, lush lawn after leveling. Proper follow-up care ensures long-lasting results.

Should I Fertilize After Leveling the Lawn?

Applying fertilizer after lawn leveling is highly recommended to help grass recover quickly and root deeply into the new soil.

Look for fertilizers labeled as “starter fertilizer” that are higher in phosphorus, which promotes strong root growth. Avoid high nitrogen blends that stimulate excessive top growth.

Wait 2-4 weeks after leveling to fertilize so existing grass plants are no longer shocked and new grass seedlings have had a chance to sprout. This allows the fertilizer to work on established instead of stressed grass.

Alternatively, you can apply a balanced starter fertilizer when first sowing grass seed right after leveling to give new seedlings an immediate nutrient boost once they germinate.

No matter when you fertilize, water immediately after applying fertilizer to dissolve granules and avoid burning grass leaves. Follow any label instructions on proper fertilizer timing and rates.

Proper follow-up fertilization after lawn leveling helps your turf thrive and recover rapidly from any disturbance during the leveling process.

How Often Should You Level an Established Lawn?

For most lawns, leveling every 2-3 years is sufficient to maintain a smooth, even lawn surface.

More frequent leveling such as annually risks excessive soil buildup and buried grass plants. Infrequent leveling allows bumps and depressions to become severe.

Here are signs it’s time to level your established lawn again:

• Visible depressions or indentations
• Standing puddles of water after rain
• Bare patches from sunken grass death
• Rutted tire tracks reappearing
• Push mower scalping high spots
• Poor turf growth in compacted areas

Lawns with high traffic, poor drainage, or bumpy soil may require more frequent leveling every 1-2 years. New lawns may need an initial leveling 2-3 months after installation as soil settles.

The best method is to walk your lawn and visually evaluate high and low spots to determine if leveling is needed on your unique yard.

Is Lawn Leveling Necessary if Replacing Grass?

If you are planning to replace existing grass with new sod or seed, lawn leveling becomes even more critical for a smooth surface.

Laying new sod over an uneven lawn traps bumps and divots under the new sod surface. This causes scalping, poor rooting, dead patches, and general poor growth.

Planting grass seed on an uneven lawn means much of the seed will fail to make good contact with soil in low areas. Rises also drain faster, inhibiting germination.

Here are reasons to take time to level before new grass:

• Allows sod to root evenly and deeply
• Helps seeded areas germinate consistently
• Prevents scalping of new grass by mowers
• Promotes smooth, even mowing once established
• Improves drainage for thicker turf
• Maximizes success of new grass installation

You have a prime opportunity when replacing grass to create the perfect level surface. Take advantage by leveling for maximum lawn quality from day one.

Leveling Yards with Existing Trees

Lawn leveling efforts must be modified when working around existing trees whose roots lie close to the surface.

To avoid harming shallow tree roots:

• Maintain existing grade around the tree canopy drip line
• Fill low spots very gradually over time under trees
• Use thin layers of compost instead of soil under trees
• Ensure proper watering and aeration around trees after leveling
• Loosen and grade soil only 1-2” deep near trees
• Follow any arborist guidance to minimize tree stress

With care around the critical root zones, you can still substantially improve the level grade while protecting established trees. Prioritize areas away from tree canopies when leveling.

Alternatives to Full Lawn Leveling

For yards with extensive tree roots, poor drainage, or very bumpy soil, full lawn leveling may not be possible or effective. Here are some alternate options:

Strategic Spot-Leveling

Rather than leveling the entire lawn, focus on problem areas like persistent puddles, tire ruts, or sinking edges. Blend repairs into surrounding grade.

Regular Aeration

Aerating compacted clay soils provides gradual improvement over time versus drastic leveling.

Raised Planting Beds

Install islands and beds raised 3-