How to Create a Level Lawn

A lawn will need regular attention if it is to be an attractive feature in the garden. It may need repairing for a variety of reasons including wear and tear, mole damage, drought, or if frost lifts the turf. If bumps or hollows appear, follow these steps to keep your lawn level.

Materials Needed:

• half moon cutter
• turfing iron or spade
• gardening fork
• top-dressing

• pre-seeder fertilizer
• broom
• lawn seed
• garden hose

1. Regularly check over the lawn, looking for any problems.

Using a half moon cutter, slice a cross shape right through the center of the bump or hollow and beyond its edges, making the cut as even as possible.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Lawns and Groundcover © 2012 Dorling Kindersley Limited

2. Cut under the turf.

Use a turfing iron or a spade, and cut while making a slicing motion. The cut should be about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) deep, and the spade should be kept as flat as possible to keep the turf at an even thickness.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Lawns and Groundcover © 2012 Dorling Kindersley Limited

3. Peel back the four flaps of turf.

Be careful not to break them. If the soil is dry, lightly water the grass beforehand. If you are only leveling a bump, dig out the soil until it is level with the surrounding area, and proceed to step six.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Lawns and Groundcover © 2012 Dorling Kindersley Limited