As a film teacher I can safely say someone who knows what they are doing produced, shot and edited this video. Beautiful. On top of that these are the best techniques and instructions I’ve seen for managing a controlled grading of soil. Really great. Thank you.
You made this so ridiculously easy compared to some of these other guys with the leveling rake. Gah! Thank you! This single mom's dreaded project is now gonna be way easier :)
While caring for my mom, then needing a hip replacement, I let my 4,000sq ft backyard get overgrown with the eventual goal of clearing it (1949 home). I'm clearing and prepping it for landscaping with weed cloth, but wanted to know how to level the soil. O'm'gosh, thank you for this concise + simple demo using tools that everyone has!
It’s pretty cool how you go into such detail. So many of the yard repair channels cover so much information in such a compressed amount of time that you don’t really get what they’re saying.
Awesome way to level it out to uniform. One thing you could do is instead of using the two stake, drill a one inch hole in the 2 by 4 and use one stake as the pivot point. Just a thought.
OK, well my husband passed away in 2016 n then I realized that our yard needed leveling. Tired of hurting my knees with the sudden jerk of bumps while mowing the lawn. Thank you so much for this much needed information. Sorry it rained on you.
A nice simple way to use easily available items to smooth out an area in the yard for the lawn. Very clever thanks for Sharing Jason. All the best and God Bless. 🙏❤🇺🇸
First video as you...your straight to the point thanks mister 🥰 for the videoI needed this going to Lowes right now my car made holes in backyard due to rain and getting stuck......... I'm doing this now cost nothing for real
Awesome way to level the dirt! I would recommend throwing down some gypsum before and after to anyone who is doing something like this. Also, that added soil will go down a lot so you'll have to add more down the line.
Of all the things I wish I could afford to pay somebody to do, leveling and grading large areas would be the one thing I would pay somebody to do. I’m prepping a large area for pavers, and it is a BEAST
This is awesome! I did a 20x24 crushed granite pad this way. made a 24' long wooden "I beam" with a level pad in the middle. Filled with dirt, leveled, vibratory compacted it, then crushed granite, leveled, compacted. Looks awesome. Nice video!
damn that is a good idea. it’s kind of like spreading icing on a cake or many other similar things, where you just use a long flat edge to guide it all into place. i don’t know why i didn’t think of this.
Love the video!! Quick question - what would I do if the lawn ALREADY has grass? My garden is really uneven and I want to get it sorted for the summer, but the grass is completely fine. It’s just really bumpy
you've probably already finished this project. But 1 solution would be to get a good sharp shovel and cut the grass out in strips roll it out level the ground and then put the grass on after. But realistically grass seed is very cheap it won't hurt to just dig up the grass and start fresh.
Thank you for this video. I have a large but irregularly shaped area to level and I was confounded by the task. Your method is so simple. I also appreciate the videography and the editing. The shot at the window looking at the rain made this a step beyond the average guy You Tube Video and I thought it was cool that you included a storytelling element!
A Tiller would break that clay sand mixture up, and then you add in the top soil and level and it would produce a great soil mixture base for seedlings. I love the board trick though.
Great video. Do you also use a lawn roller (the drum that fills with water and roll) to compact the top soil down a bit (so that it won't wash away during rain)?
I really love the pivot application. I was thinking about my own version would be using a threaded rod spike and a nut that can be moved up and down to set the hight you need and maybe the metal pipe add a closed hook to the end that can be slided in the threaded rod and you can get 360 rotation movement, just thinking out loud.. great video man
best leveling video i've seen thanks. Do you think soil should be lower than concrete sidewalk or walk way. I find mine is higher and erodes when it rains.
Great guide. I live in an area where the summers are hot and dry and we have a lot of clay. Is this ok to do if I plan on putting grass in later when it’s cooler? Thank you!
Hi thanks for watching! I live in Texas so I understand need to avoid the hot summers. I think the time of year that you do this will depend on the grass that you plan on planting. If you level the soil late in the season, as I did, you should be prepared to plant a cool season grass, so it will establish the fall and hold the soil in place over fall and winter. Since you live in a place where the summers are hot and dry, my assumption is that the end-goal is to establish a grass variety that will survive long term. So, be prepared to kill out the cool season lawn and then install sod or replant the lawn with a permanent stand of warm season grass. Or you could be a crazy person like me, and just let the sun kill out your cool season grass and replant it every year in September 🤣
Understood! Sod installation is my desired goal. Thank you for clarifying this as I live in California, but I understand the summers to be more brutal in your area so I appreciate the confidence boost!😅 Im also planning to use this same type of soil in another area of my yard as a base for a garden bed. 🙏🏽
You said after first layer you were gonna wet it lol. Jk. You did a good job. Hopefully husband can level our yard accurately for our pool lol I hate sand so top soil is what we are using. Then in fall.. Plant seeds :)
Thank you for the great video. When is it necessary to dig up old grass or a weedy lawn before putting down the fresh topsoil? What is the best way to do that? I noticed in your video that your front yard was fairly bare but the back had some patchy grass.
Great question! If your adding lots of topsoil in the fall, (AND you have a warm season grass like me,) it’s usually advised just to simply scalp the grass down to the dirt level and lay the soil directly on top. The reason is because in the fall, temperatures are getting cooler, and the warm season grass is about to go dormant anyway. Dormant grass that gets covered with topsoil will just be smothered away. It will save you a lot of work tilling up the soil and removing the grass. The most common warm season grass includes Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, buffalo grass, and Saint Augustine. If you have any other type of grass, like the kind of grass that stays green in the cold, let me know and I can give you more advice.
I have a slopped front yard. Is there away to keep it from run off from rain to get it established? Just recently had a huge oak tree on my HOA side that messed it really up, too.
As a film teacher I can safely say someone who knows what they are doing produced, shot and edited this video. Beautiful. On top of that these are the best techniques and instructions I’ve seen for managing a controlled grading of soil. Really great. Thank you.
Thank you! Quite the complement and it’s very much appreciated!
You should win an award for this simple trick I’m obsessed
You made this so ridiculously easy compared to some of these other guys with the leveling rake. Gah! Thank you! This single mom's dreaded project is now gonna be way easier :)
We’re both single moms, keep us updated on progress! I’m waiting for my top soil to be delivered.
How did this work out for you two?
@@housiedooze8889 i’m so curious too
how did this turn out for y’all ?
While caring for my mom, then needing a hip replacement, I let my 4,000sq ft backyard get overgrown with the eventual goal of clearing it (1949 home). I'm clearing and prepping it for landscaping with weed cloth, but wanted to know how to level the soil. O'm'gosh, thank you for this concise + simple demo using tools that everyone has!
I like the 2x4 leveling idea. Good for normal homeowners !
Smart man. I just used a tiller on my lawn and now I need to level it out so I came to the right spot
I am trying to level my very dry hard clay covered ground 🥵 by myself, by hand... love this idea.. you saved me a ton of guess work 🙌
It’s really difficult work, but the results are worth it!
It’s pretty cool how you go into such detail. So many of the yard repair channels cover so much information in such a compressed amount of time that you don’t really get what they’re saying.
Thanks! Thanks for watching and I appreciate the feedback!
@@jasongarringer12 I hope you get many subs.
I AGREE I was thinking the same thing
been looking for an approach like this for months. Much appreciated!
Give this man a Bob The Builder Show!!
Awesome way to level it out to uniform. One thing you could do is instead of using the two stake, drill a one inch hole in the 2 by 4 and use one stake as the pivot point. Just a thought.
I was thinking the same thing.
Genius level brother.
Yup
It will jam when you lift it though. Hole would need to be bigger or stake smaller.
Could also leave it untouched so the 2x4 can be used for something else after.
Your voice is so calming and gentle 😊
I felt your dread when that rain came!
Great video....thanks!🎉
Thanks for watching! Yes, I remember feeling worried that some of it would wash away!
Shout out to your editing skills!
Your voice is so soothing! Came here to learn but might also be able to fall asleep too. Thank you!
Beautiful content I love the way you talk.
dang bro, your video quality and music is just like a tv show, i love it!
Thanks Russ.
You are a the man!! Im motivated and ready to start my project
Great leveling technique with the 4" x 2" ..50/50 mix is perfect, I use the same here in the UK 🇬🇧
I have to add...as soon as I mentioned the UK 🇬🇧 in my comment the heaven's opened with a downpour 🤣
I’ve been looking for something simple like this. Thank you so much for sharing this technique with us!
OK, well my husband passed away in 2016 n then I realized that our yard needed leveling. Tired of hurting my knees with the sudden jerk of bumps while mowing the lawn. Thank you so much for this much needed information. Sorry it rained on you.
Thank you for watching. Give it a little time and effort in your lawn will be back in shape in no time!
Thks sooo muchhh gonna really make my hideous yard quite dapper
A nice simple way to use easily available items to smooth out an area in the yard for the lawn. Very clever thanks for Sharing Jason.
All the best and God Bless. 🙏❤🇺🇸
Thanks for watching!
My goodness. Basically he’s using the strategy of getting concrete level. You are a genius
First video I found! Gonna try this with new raised beds on a slope! Will let u know how it goes.
This is a professional video. Great work.
Wow. Best method ever. Simple, accurate and quick! Been struggling with an unleveled yard and today is the day..Thank you.
Excellent! Simple, easy to do and very, very accurate. Thank you!
First video as you...your straight to the point thanks mister 🥰 for the videoI needed this going to Lowes right now my car made holes in backyard due to rain and getting stuck......... I'm doing this now cost nothing for real
Awesome way to level the dirt! I would recommend throwing down some gypsum before and after to anyone who is doing something like this. Also, that added soil will go down a lot so you'll have to add more down the line.
True. Thanks, Cesar. Lawn leveling is definitely NOT a “do-it-once” activity. Over time, tweaking will be required.
Very well done and video well put together my friend
Thanks!
Hey Jason - GREAT idea using those stakes as pivots.
I like the quality of your videos, and how practical you are! Thanks for sharing. I'll use similar techniques. :D
thank you for the ideas, i love it... more videos sir Jason... im from Philippines
Really hard work. You are great
Of all the things I wish I could afford to pay somebody to do, leveling and grading large areas would be the one thing I would pay somebody to do. I’m prepping a large area for pavers, and it is a BEAST
Yes. Hopefully you’re not in the same time. Be safe and good luck!
Great video. Clear, calm presentation.
Hot damn...wonder why I didn't think of this :) Great Video!!
Simply the best video how to level the ground
Super helpful thanks a lot for the technique. Gonna help me a lot when making my patio.
Thank you for the video. I'm probably going to do something like this over the weekend
Great technique I’ll apply it on my next project thanks
Oh wow. Great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Genius Method!
Thank you James!
Awesome brother....keep it up
Thanks!
You a beast bro. I suck at yard work
This is brilliant idea.
Thanks Sam!
Your voice is so soothing.
Thanks Kiah
Loved the ending 😂
This is awesome! I did a 20x24 crushed granite pad this way. made a 24' long wooden "I beam" with a level pad in the middle. Filled with dirt, leveled, vibratory compacted it, then crushed granite, leveled, compacted. Looks awesome. Nice video!
Thanks Steffen! Sounds like your project turned out nice too?
Thats clever af😂 thanks dude!
This is a brilliant idea to level.
damn that is a good idea. it’s kind of like spreading icing on a cake or many other similar things, where you just use a long flat edge to guide it all into place. i don’t know why i didn’t think of this.
He has a soothing voice...
That dirt prob smelling real nice in the rain. Thanks for the video and thunder
Love the video!! Quick question - what would I do if the lawn ALREADY has grass? My garden is really uneven and I want to get it sorted for the summer, but the grass is completely fine. It’s just really bumpy
you've probably already finished this project. But 1 solution would be to get a good sharp shovel and cut the grass out in strips roll it out level the ground and then put the grass on after. But realistically grass seed is very cheap it won't hurt to just dig up the grass and start fresh.
Great job 👏 the last thing you wanna do is fill low spots afterwards thanks for this tip
nice cart
Gorrilla Cart from Home Depot
Thank you for this video. I have a large but irregularly shaped area to level and I was confounded by the task. Your method is so simple. I also appreciate the videography and the editing. The shot at the window looking at the rain made this a step beyond the average guy You Tube Video and I thought it was cool that you included a storytelling element!
Thanks! The goal isn’t just to educate but also make it entertaining if possible. Thanks for the appreciation!
@@jasongarringer12what seed did you throw?
I’ve honestly never seen someone screed dirt before but this is a good idea if someone can’t see or rake level by eye.
great job
Thanks!
Thank you for the video, now I feel I can do it
A Tiller would break that clay sand mixture up, and then you add in the top soil and level and it would produce a great soil mixture base for seedlings.
I love the board trick though.
Cool a lot heavy labor involved 👍
I find the extended viewing time of watching you put on your gloves fascinating.
🤣
If you want anything done right do it yourself. I like it. Are you a concrete contractor, I have seen these techniques used by them.
I’ve poured a few slabs in my day!
Jason!! You are the man
No!! YOU are the man!! You are doing well I see!!!
Thank you! So simple
Very smart 👌🏽
This guys voice so soothing
I love your voice
Thanks!
Damned weather!!!
You could put two eye bolts in the end of the 2x4 and just use maybe less stakes...
Great idea. Hey thanks for watching Joe!
Great job!👏
Bro best video
Thanks!
Great content ❤
You know you're going to lose the cul de sac lawn battle when dude brings entire new soil in every year.😅
Great video. Do you also use a lawn roller (the drum that fills with water and roll) to compact the top soil down a bit (so that it won't wash away during rain)?
Awesome
well done
Dang! That easy!
Brilliant wow 😳👍
Thanks for teh video =)
I really love the pivot application. I was thinking about my own version would be using a threaded rod spike and a nut that can be moved up and down to set the hight you need and maybe the metal pipe add a closed hook to the end that can be slided in the threaded rod and you can get 360 rotation movement, just thinking out loud.. great video man
What camera you using
Panasonic GH5
best leveling video i've seen thanks. Do you think soil should be lower than concrete sidewalk or walk way. I find mine is higher and erodes when it rains.
Cool ideas. You don't feel and need to compact between layers?
Great guide. I live in an area where the summers are hot and dry and we have a lot of clay. Is this ok to do if I plan on putting grass in later when it’s cooler? Thank you!
Hi thanks for watching! I live in Texas so I understand need to avoid the hot summers. I think the time of year that you do this will depend on the grass that you plan on planting. If you level the soil late in the season, as I did, you should be prepared to plant a cool season grass, so it will establish the fall and hold the soil in place over fall and winter. Since you live in a place where the summers are hot and dry, my assumption is that the end-goal is to establish a grass variety that will survive long term. So, be prepared to kill out the cool season lawn and then install sod or replant the lawn with a permanent stand of warm season grass. Or you could be a crazy person like me, and just let the sun kill out your cool season grass and replant it every year in September 🤣
Understood! Sod installation is my desired goal. Thank you for clarifying this as I live in California, but I understand the summers to be more brutal in your area so I appreciate the confidence boost!😅 Im also planning to use this same type of soil in another area of my yard as a base for a garden bed. 🙏🏽
Ok well southern California climates pretty much allow for sod installation year round, with Fall and Spring being the 2 most optimal timings.
What about Northern California with dry summers?
Can this be done with pea gravel? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
I suppose it is possible. Seems like it would be too heavy to move around. And hard on the knees (uncomfortable)
Simple but brilliant idea . I would have been there for hours trying to rake it level and still have waves
GENIUS!
You said after first layer you were gonna wet it lol. Jk. You did a good job. Hopefully husband can level our yard accurately for our pool lol I hate sand so top soil is what we are using. Then in fall.. Plant seeds :)
Hi what is the purpose of the water sprinker on the soil?
Thank you for the video
Just to help the soil settle and compress it a little bit.
Thank you for the great video. When is it necessary to dig up old grass or a weedy lawn before putting down the fresh topsoil? What is the best way to do that? I noticed in your video that your front yard was fairly bare but the back had some patchy grass.
Great question! If your adding lots of topsoil in the fall, (AND you have a warm season grass like me,) it’s usually advised just to simply scalp the grass down to the dirt level and lay the soil directly on top. The reason is because in the fall, temperatures are getting cooler, and the warm season grass is about to go dormant anyway. Dormant grass that gets covered with topsoil will just be smothered away. It will save you a lot of work tilling up the soil and removing the grass. The most common warm season grass includes Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, buffalo grass, and Saint Augustine. If you have any other type of grass, like the kind of grass that stays green in the cold, let me know and I can give you more advice.
Great video! Does the climate of the state we are in matter if we put it down in the fall? We are in Illinois
GOOD JOB MAN YOU ARE HOME MAN I GIVE UN YOU CALIFICATTION 100I WILL SEE YOU SOON
Genius
That's brilliant! Thanks!
Thanks a lot Elijah! And thanks for watching!
Hey great videos how many yards did you end up putting down ?
About 6 yards after all said and done.
That’s a great idea but what about grading for drainage
I have a slopped front yard. Is there away to keep it from run off from rain to get it established? Just recently had a huge oak tree on my HOA side that messed it really up, too.