How to level a lumpy lawn

When you’re particularly proud of your garden, the sight of bumps and dips on your otherwise level lawn can be a cause of concern. Flat lawns are easier to mow, less likely to get waterlogged, and they simply look neater.

What causes dips and bumps in my lawn?

Let’s not forget that your lawn is a natural, living thing. An uneven surface can be caused by all sorts of things!

Nature

Under the surface of your lawn lies an unseen world of nature. Over time, worms and insects could cause the soil structure to change and become uneven. Likewise, heavy rainfall or periods of drought can cause your lawn to become a little lumpy.

Frequent use

From traipsing heavy wheelbarrows of garden waste to and from the compost heap to playing football, your lawn sees plenty of foot traffic – human and otherwise! So, it’s only natural that certain bits may become uneven if they’re being trodden on frequently.

Drainage problems

This one’s a bit trickier. If you’ve found a random dip in your lawn and finding pools of liquid, it’s worth getting a pro in to take a look, as there may be a leaking pipe under the surface.

You’ll need:

• A rake
• Garden fork or aerator
• A spade
• Topsoil, sand and compost
• Lawn seed

How to level your lawn

Before you get started

Lawn levelling is much easier when your grass is short, so give it a good trim with a lawn mower on its lowest setting.

Once the grass is short, give your lawn a good soaking a day or two before you plan to start levelling.

Levelling shallow dips

For dips in your lawn that are 3cm deep or less, it’s a case of filling it in with top dressing.

To make top dressing, combine two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part topsoil, i.e. 2kg each of topsoil and sand and 1kg compost. This mix is the perfect blend of structure, drainage, and nutrients which you’ll use to fill in the dip in your lawn.

First, go over the dip with a garden fork or aerator to improve the drainage and airflow, before popping some of your top dressing in the dip and smoothing it out with the back of a rake. Firm down the top dressing by firmly stepping on it, and repeat the process until the dip is level with the rest of your lawn.

Do the same thing with any other dips, then grab your grass seed. Sprinkle a layer of seed over the top dressing before dusting a small amount of topsoil on top and firming down lightly with your hands.

Keep the area well-watered until the grass seeds have germinated and your new grass has established itself. Then you can start mowing as normal.

Done!

Levelling deeper dips

For more serious lawn craters, you’ll need a spade and some more of that top dressing you made earlier.

A border spade with a straight edge would be ideal, or a pointed spade. Dig two 4-5cm deep parallel lines either side of the dip and one going through the middle, so you end up with an ‘H’ shape.

Use your spade to cut underneath the grass roots from the central line so that you can lift both sections outwards like a book – without needing to remove it entirely.

Use your garden fork to rough up the exposed soil and remove any rocks. Top it up with your top dressing as before, rake it flat, and firm it down. Add a touch more soil to level it, give it a quick water, and fold the turf back on top.

Press the turf back into place – you may need to jump around on it to firm it down and remove any air pockets (this is a great job for the kids to do). Sprinkle a touch of top dressing where you cut into the grass and apply some grass seed. Keep the area well watered until the grass has established.

Levelling bumps

To flatten any bumps in your lawn, you start by digging the same ‘H’ shape into the area with a spade and lifting back the turf.

Fork over the exposed soil and remove as much as you need to make it level. Flatten with your feet, pop the turf back over, and sprinkle over your soil and seed as before.