How do I level my lawn without leveling rake. Over the years, my lawn became increasingly bumpy and uneven to the point where I was constantly having to go over the same spots multiple times while mowing and our two-year-old would often trip when running around because of the bumps and low spots.
I decided to take matters into my own hands and began researching lawn leveling methods until I found a few professional videos on YouTube. I was immediately hooked and knew that this was something I wanted to try for myself.
This article will outline the results of my research, what I have accomplished so far, and my plans for the future. Note that I’m not planning on making my lawn as level as a golfing green but it’ll be an impressive improvement nonetheless!
Why is it Important to Have a Level Lawn?
A level, even lawn free of bumps or depressions is important as it provides a safer and more usable surface to walk on. Any activity – from soccer, croquet, bocce ball to just running around – will be made more enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
A level lawn also contributes to a healthier and easier to maintain bumpy lawn lawn. Not only does it result in a better quality cut, because your mower won’t be scalping the lawn, you can also mow more quickly. In addition, having an even lawn means that water will not pool in any depressions and thus will be more evenly distributed to all parts of your lawn.
What Causes a Lawn to be Bumpy?
Before anything is done to correct bumps and unevenness, you must first diagnose why they occurred. Often there is an underlying problem that needs addressing. Removing this cause before correcting the effect is crucial to finding a long term fix. Sometimes bumps and depressions can be the result of drainage problems, or even broken water or irrigation pipes causing erosion. (Provigil)
If there are, for example, two to three low spots around areas where there may be water or drainage pipes, you should investigate to make sure that nothing is leaking. Consult an expert if necessary. Make sure to look for the root of the problem so that you can address it and fix it accordingly – otherwise you’ll just end up with a temporary solution!
A sprinkler system is a common culprit for erosion since the water lines are prone to damage and the whole system requires regular maintenance. To investigate, check that the spray heads and rotors are working correctly and popping up to their full height, that the nozzles are not clogged or damaged, and that the heads are not leaking.
Ground settling is another common cause of a bumpy lawn. Over time, depressions settle which causes depressions in your lawn. Be sure to check for any signs of structural damage to your home as this can be a result of ground settling as well!
Other sources of bumps can include buried objects such as wood debris from construction (this should be removed), people walking on lawns that are too soft (like in the early spring or after heavy rains), and animals.
Animals, both wild and domestic, sometimes dig holes in lawns which will cause bumps. If the bumps are from burrowing animals, like ground hogs or moles, they will have to be removed or repelled. Lastly, ant mounds can be a cause of significant bumps. These will be readily apparent, due to the presence of ants.
The basic equipment you’ll need to level your lawn includes a hand rake, landscape rake, plastic leaf rake, large push broom, shovel, edger, and wheelbarrow.
I personally use a leveling rake – also called a ‘Levelawn’ – like the Accuform AccuLevel by Par Aide or a similar one available on Amazon.com. Here’s a video demonstrating how it works. As you can see, it’s very effective at removing stones, breaking up small clumps, and creating a smooth surface – perfect for leveling materials. If you’re serious about getting your lawn looking its best, this is definitely the way to go!
