Levelling a lawn that is already laid...

bigdawg · Hazel Tree Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Hi there

Found this site today and am glad that I did. Its full of interesting stuff.

I surfed this section of forum but didnt find an answer to the following question:

I have a 1 year old back lawn. I had to drain the garden and brough in quite a lot of topsoil afterwards. However, as it was late last year when i finished it all (around Oct) I didnt have the weather i needed to get a nice even finish on the soil. The grass is now growing away but i have lots of minor bumps in the lawn(though the overall slope of the lawn from back to front looks fine).

This spring and summer I have been filling in spots with compost in bare patches and i have an even grass coverage now but is there any way to eliminate these underfoot undulations in the topography? Im not sure rolling it would make any diffference (especially in summer) and i have seen lots of people advise against it.

what should i do? Confused

thanks/Hugh in Kerry.

cooler · Silver Birch Tree Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 180

Are you sure it was not a bigdawg that made all the bumps in your lawn. Razz

But seriously I would also say that a heavy roller is not the solution. Because while rolling may remove some bumps, it also damages the grass by compacting the soil.

You can fill in low spots a bit with with about 0.5cm layer of clean stone free topsoil. Work the soil lightly into the holes to avoid smothering the grass. Or you could lift the low grass sod with a spade, backfill beneath with topsoil, then replace the sod with a light tap.
Do the reverse for high spots, as you can lift the soil with a spade and clear out some soil beneath. Settle the grass back into place, then judge do you need to remove more. Just remember to leave enough good topsoil to allow the grass to continue to grow well.

bigdawg · Hazel Tree Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

thanks, filling in seems to be the route forward. its coming along already and isnt as bumby as it was a few months back. so i will keep at it.

i do have a dog but he's only a small fella. he helps to fertilise the lawn Wink