How To Level A Backyard In Seven Simple Steps

It can be challenging to understand how to level a backyard. An unlevel backyard is not only unattractive but the lumps and bumps can also be a safety hazard. There is an opportunity for trips, sprained ankles, and falls when your yard is uneven. There are a few issues that can be the cause of an unlevel backyard, including:

• Drainage issues 
• Leaks in the pipes beneath the yard’s surface
• Lawn pests disturbing the root

Make sure not to let these issues discourage your landscaping and keep you from achieving the yard of your dreams. It is important to troubleshoot the underlying problem before starting to level your yard. Finding the issue ensures that it won’t recur again in the future. There are problems such as improper grading that can cause damage to the home’s foundation or basement; finding these issues before it’s too late is essential. Understanding how to level a backyard to prevent long-term damage is important. 

Benefits Of Ground Leveling 

There is a safety issue if your yard is full of bumps and lumps. Children who are active outdoors might twist their ankles or trip. Landscapes can become uneven as a result of projects such as a pool installation or adding a walkway. Ensuring these areas are level will promote water to reach all turf and plants and avoid water waste or muddy spots. 

Ground leveling can make your lawn maintenance routine easier. It prevents your mower from getting caught on lumps and allows you to rake easier. Leveling your lawn will improve your home’s curb appeal and allow your lawn to grow lush and green. 

Water running toward your home on uneven turf can cause damage. Typically, when building a new home, the contractor will level the yard to ensure it slopes away from the structure. Often you can make corrections to the low spots near the foundation, but other times a professional is required. Some of the benefits of having a level yard include the following: 

• More accessible and safer for children to play
• Easier maintenance
• Better curb appeal
• Less water use

Steps To Leveling Your Yard

Step 1: Cut the Grass

The first step is to mow your lawn. Cut the grass short, but not too short that you scalp it. When cutting the grass, if the blade stems are visible, you’ve cut it too short, leaving it vulnerable to drying. 

Step 2: Detach Thatch At The Roots As Needed

You can determine the amount of thatch on your lawn by taking a closer look at the roots. What is thatch? It is a layer of organic material and decayed grass at the base of the turf. If there is ¼ to ½ inch of thatch, that is acceptable; any more will prevent your lawn from getting adequate water and air. 

If more than ½ an inch of thatch is present, loosen or remove it using a thatch rake to pull it up. You can use a dethatching machine to get the job done if you have a larger yard. 

Step 3: Mix Topsoil, Sand, and Compost

Create a mixture to fill in the areas where the grass is sunken. Make this mixture by putting two parts topsoil and sand and one part compost. The soil and compost will give your yard the necessary nutrients while the sand maintains a level yard. 

Step 4: Dig Up Sunken Parts, And Fill Them With Soil 

If areas on your lawn are deeper than 2 or 3 inches, remove the grass on top before filling it with the mixture. After, place the dug-up grass back on top. This allows you to slope the soil away from your home. If the entire ward slopes toward your home, a professional may be required to grade your yard properly. 

Step 5: Add A Thin Layer Of The Mixture To The Entire Yard

After filling in the sloped areas, disperse the mixture created in step 3 over the rest of the yard’s surface. Do not cover the grass completely with the mixture, as it can suffocate it. Work the mixture into the lower spots when leveling the lawn. 

Step 6: Water The Lawn

After spreading the mixture, turn on the sprinkler sot help the mixture settle into the grass. The water will also help jump-start the nutrients from the mixture allowing it to absorb into the soil. 

Step 7: Reapply Mixture As Needed

After watering the lawn, keep an eye out for runoff or puddles. Your lawn may require more than one mixture application to level out completely. Once the grass starts to grow actively, there is no need to apply more mixture. 

Leveling your yard is a great project to tackle once spring rolls around. Leveling your yard helps you avoid safety hazards and increases your home’s curb appeal. If the lawn is sloping toward the structure of your home, a professional may be required. Lakeshore Landscapes offer professional services; visit our website to learn more.