Understanding how to level a backyard is essential for homeowners dealing with an uneven lawn. A bumpy, uneven yard is not only less appealing aesthetically but also difficult to maintain.
It can result in uneven moisture retention and soil erosion, making lawn leveling important for both its health and appearance. You can either hire a professional landscaper to level the ground for you or do it yourself.
If you plan to level your backyard independently, read this simple guide for the best leveling experience. This article also shares aftercare tips to help you maintain your entire yard’s beauty for years.
Why Should I Level My Yard?
Leveling your yard, or yard leveling, is essential for numerous reasons:
- A leveled lawn looks more aesthetically appealing and gives your outdoor landscape more stability.
- It aids in the distribution and drainage of water in the soil, preventing standing water, which can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Uneven lawns are hard to mow and lead to uneven mowing. Therefore, learning how to level a yard can save you trouble and make yard maintenance easier.
- Leveling your lawn will help prevent serious damage to your trees, plants, and landscaping from soil erosion.
- A level yard improves grass growth and health, reducing the risk of lawn disease and decaying grass.
Can I Level My Backyard Myself?
You can level a yard yourself if it has no major issues like big boulders and only has slight slopes. You will need simple tools for this task. If your lawn needs more work than you can manage, consider hiring a contractor to level the lawn professionally.
Keep in mind that this option is more costly but may be necessary for a significantly uneven yard.
Tools You May Need to Level Your Yard
To level your yard yourself, you’ll need some simple tools, including:
- Topsoil or top dressing, commonly referred to as a soil mixture or soil mix
- Compost
- Sand
- Lawnmower
- Large push broom
- Lawn roller
- Thatch rake or dethatching machine
- Hand rake
- Edger
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
You can either purchase these tools if they are affordable or rent them for a few days.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Level A Backyard
STEP 1: Mow Your Lawn
The first step in lawn leveling is mowing it properly. Cut the grass short, but not too short, as it can make the grass blades dry out. Mowing the lawn will help you find the holes and bumps you need to fill in your entire lawn.
STEP 2: Dethatch Your Lawn
Thatch is the layer of dead and living plant material, including decaying grass, present above the topsoil. A thick thatch layer will hinder the flow of air and water in the soil, affecting grass growth.
Removing it with a thatch rake will help you detect the bumps better and promote grass growth. If the area is small, a thatch rake will suffice, but for a large area, consider renting a dethatching machine.
STEP 3: Measure the Area That Needs Leveling
With an uneven lawn identified, the next step is to measure the size of the area you need to level. First, do a visual examination to determine whether the bumps are located in one area or distributed throughout the entire yard. This will help you save time and effort, ensuring you don’t end up working on the entire lawn when you need to level only a small area. Walk through the lawn and feel the ground with your feet, noting the areas that need repair.
STEP 4: Prepare Topsoil Mix
Before filling the low spots and holes, prepare a topsoil mix or get one from the market. Mix one part compost, two parts sand, and two parts topsoil to create an effective soil mixture. Compost and topsoil will provide your grass with all the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive, while sand will help maintain a level yard for a long period.
STEP 5: Level Out Low Points and Spots
For sunken areas that are one inch low (called low spots), you do not have to re-turf the lawn. Evenly distribute the prepared topsoil mix on the low spots and fill sunken areas completely. Afterward, pour some water with a garden rake to compact the soil and remove air pockets. However, if the dips are deeper than two inches, you will first have to remove the existing grass and turf and fill the dips with soil.
STEP 6: Remove the Old Turf
If you need to fill deeper points and steep slopes in a large area, you will need to remove the old turf. Use a shovel and mark the dip area in a square shape.
Dip the shovel 2 to 3 inches into the soil around the boundary of the square and start digging the turf grass and soil. Remove the turf completely to make room for new grass and soil. Ensure you dig correctly so that the soil or ground has a leveled surface.
STEP 7: Fill in The Depressions
Now that you have removed the grass and created an even surface, it’s time to fill dirt or topsoil mix in the depressions. Get a flathead shovel and redistribute the soil evenly. You can use the same soil you removed in the above step to fill the dip. Add one inch of the homemade topsoil mix above it. If you want to raise the surface of the lawn, add more soil until you achieve the desired height.
STEP 8: Till Your Lawn
Before you begin re-turfing your lawn, the first thing you must do is till the ground to soften it. This will make the soil more manageable and help you save time. Get a tiller and start breaking up the top ¾ inches of the soil. The soil will become loose and will not have trouble distributing grass seeds, etc.
STEP 9: Flatten the Ground
Get a landscaping rake and use it to flatten the surface. While doing so, check the level of the surface from time to time. It should be even and flat throughout the lawn. After flattening the ground, water the soil to help it settle.
STEP 10: Lay Fresh Sod or Distribute Grass Seeds
After creating a leveled ground, you have two options: lay a layer of fresh sod or distribute grass seeds. Choose any of these options based on your preferences.
Laying Fresh Sod
Laying fresh sod is the best option if you do not have the time or patience to wait weeks for the grass to grow and make your lawn look green with little effort. It is also suitable if you don’t mind investing in new sod. When you go to the market to buy sod, ensure you get the right kind that suits your soil type.
For this, you can send a sample of your lawn soil to the local garden center. They will send it to the lab for testing. The test results will then help you identify the right type of sod for your lawn’s soil. This method ensures that you promote grass growth effectively in your leveled yard.
Distributing Grass Seeds
If you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on sod, the best economical option you have is to distribute grass seed evenly in the topsoil. The downside of this option is that you will have to wait weeks for the grass to grow. You will also have to take care of the seedlings more carefully. Ensure you grow grass in the favorable season, which is spring or early fall, to promote optimal grass growth.
STEP 11: Revitalize Your Leveled Lawn by Watering It
New sod needs a regular supply of water to thoroughly establish its roots in the soil. So, water the lawn regularly with a lawn roller or push broom to ensure even coverage. Watering the lawn before 10 a.m. is a good idea as it gives water enough time to soak into the soil. Avoid over-watering the lawn as it can cause water damage and drown the growing grass roots. It can ruin your effort, and you may have to do more work again. Use a sprinkler for the thorough distribution of water. Turn the water off when you think the soil has absorbed sufficient water.
Tips to Take Care of Newly Leveled Backyard
After creating a leveled lawn, it is important to maintain it well by using the right practices. Keep the following tips in mind to take care of your leveled backyard and prevent a bumpy lawn from reoccurring.
- Use Fertilizers Once or Twice A Year: Fertilizers provide the soil with healthy nutrients that plants need for proper growth. You should fertilize your backyard once or twice a year according to your lawn’s needs. Distribute the fertilizers evenly with a bow rake to ensure all areas get equal opportunity to grow. Read the instructions on the pack of fertilizers to find how much you should use. Avoid over-fertilizing as it can burn the grass and hinder grass growth.
- Water the Lawn Regularly: When the new grass is well-established, start watering the lawn once a week. Water it 1-1.5 inches in the morning or in the evening when the temperatures are low. If you water the lawn during midday, most of the water will evaporate, and the grass will not get enough water. During intense heat periods, water the backyard in the morning, then wait for the soil to dry completely before watering it again. This will help the grass establish its roots deeper, resulting in a greener lawn that does not get scuffed easily.
- Aerate Your Lawn: You should aerate the soil in spring or fall every year. Soil aeration is important as it oxidizes soil, prevents soil compaction, and allows grass roots to go deeper. For the best results, aerate the soil when it is wet. You can get an aeration tool to do it yourself or hire a professional to perform this task for you.
- Reapply Topsoil: Reapply a thin layer of the topsoil when the grass begins to grow. Growing grass recovers from the stress when the soil is new and full of healthy nutrients. This will also help fill sunken areas and prevent air pockets under the turf grass.
- Get Rid of Aggressive Weeds: Aggressive weeds can spread their roots fast and absorb the nutrients and water from the soil, leaving grass parched and nutrient deficient. Weed growth increases in the summer, so ensure you eliminate them whenever you find them growing in your backyard. You may also use organic fertilizers to get fast results.
FAQ
What Causes an Uneven Lawn?
There are multiple reasons why your entire lawn has developed bumps and become uneven. These reasons include:
- Soil digging done by pets
- Careless work by the original home builder
- Growth of tree roots
- Removal of trees and plants
- Installation of a sewer system
- Installation of a pool
- Drainage problems leading to standing water
- Poor backyard maintenance practices
- Compaction caused by heavy traffic
How to Tell If My Yard Has A Leveling Issue?
The best way to tell if your lawn is uneven is to find areas of standing water. If you do find standing water, know that your lawn’s ground has uneven areas.
Another more accurate way of telling if your land has a leveling issue is by measuring its slope. For this, you will need some basic tools like a carpenter’s level, hammer, and 100-plus feet long string.
Normally, the slope around your home moves down by ¼-inch per foot when moving away from your home. It means if you move 100 feet away from your home, the ground level will be 2 feet lower compared to the level at the base of your home.
So, measure the slope using the above-mentioned tools. If it drops by 3 inches per 2 feet, your ground is slightly uneven, and you can level it yourself. But if the drop is more than that, you may have to hire a professional contractor.
When Should I Level My Yard?
Early fall and spring are the suitable seasons for successful lawn leveling. If you choose any of these seasons, you provide grass seeds with enough time to settle in the new soil and develop their roots before the extreme winter or summer starts.
How Much Does It Cost to Level A Backyard?
The cost to level a yard depends on several factors, for example, the size of the lawn, the depth of bumps, the type and amount of new soil, and whether you work with a professional or do it yourself. If your backyard is 1,000 square feet in size, then the expected cost may range from $700 to $1,700 ($1,300 average cost).
Wrapping Up: How to Level a Backyard
Leveling your backyard can turn an ugly lawn into an inviting space if it’s done the right way. Follow this step-by-step guide to enjoy the beauty of a leveled yard. Make sure you take care of your newly leveled yard to maintain its appearance for years. Water the grass regularly, preferably in the morning. Fertilize the lawn once or twice a year and get rid of aggressive weeds from time to time.