@@daviddelgado8669 bro i just started a job of landscaping today i was all up nervous last night 2am watching this ughhh i hate this corona virus was laid off 2 weeks
Shoo, this takes perfectionism to a new level, but I'm into it. My lawn is SO lumpy. Drives me insane. Adding doing this to the list as I've been thinking of bringing in a steam roller... this is more my financial speed.
This guy knows what he is talking about. I have watched lots of lawn leveling videos but his technique makes perfect sense. Homeowners I would strongly recommend following his technique.
Perfect 👍!!! I am a 58 year old woman that has learned from UA-cam how to fill a yard hole!! I’ve already brought soul & sand and have that rack!!! 😂 Thanks 🙏 for showing me the start and finish. Amen 🙏
Hello I recently moved to Albany..and first time home owner..Well I bought a house and had no idea what I was doing.. Beautiful corner house, renovation needed but the landscape is bumpy, tree stumps in lawn, bugs, looks like mostly thatch...I found you searching for what to do to restore its beauty...Thank you for all your informing and much needed videos.. I have 2400 sq ft and its gonna take a lot of work...I appreciate you for demonstrating...
That tying a rope to a 2x4 and dragging it is brilliant. I have a huge rut from a walnut tree that was removed like 40yrs ago I need to fill. This method will be my next project.
Rodger Quinn I’ve heard they are significantly more efficient than landscape rakes...though I agree on the price, as it is the reason I’ve hesitated to try one out for myself. Building a drag for now for pennies in comparison.
Amazing video. Count me as a new subscriber. You explain things so clearly. Even for a novice like me it seems simple. I need to level my new lawn due to moles that made it all bumpy. Thanks again and keep up the good work 👍
On my last lawn I used 50-50 sand and manure. Shoveled it all over the lawn and then towed a piece of chain link fence with my lawn tractor. Seemed to work well.
Did my first leveling. Brand new home, 1 year old and had some insane bumps and ruts. Unfortunately I used a compost/sand mix with tons of sticks and rocks that I had to rake thereafter. Still have some left. I’ll do this method afterwards.
yea its going to take me multiple years to fix my lawn, its had a tree blown out of it from a tornado, a boat parked on it for 3 years from previous owners who thought grass more or less equaled anything green, and original leveling done by a bulldozer in one pass quick as possible :) I actually twisted my ankle in a rut last year lol, but least its got grass and not just 100% clover, onion and other weeds now, thanks to you doc
How would you determine if you have a high spot that needs to be removed? If you have a high spot you don't want to "level" your yard to the high spot. This is the one question I've never seen addressed on videos for leveling your yard.
You covered depressions in the lawn, but what about high spots? Obviously just pounding them down would just compress the soil. I have a zoysia lawn in GA that is now a year old. It is really thick and already developing a heavy thatch layer. I have watch several of your superb videos and they are very helpful. Just did not know if I should consider detaching such a young lawn? I was going to cut it short, dethatch, put down a layer of haumichar, and then the 50/50 mix to level it out. Thanks again for the great work.
Hi doc! My Lawn is not even is has a bump and then goes down. I watched your videos and brought sand. All I need to do is rake the sand evenly for the lawn to grow highly and evenly????
Sometimes, you have to sift everything. I use a rubber concrete float to break up the chunks and push them through the screen. Where I used to live the soil was all bad fill, so I got into the habit of sifting the soil that I dig up, and mix in some garden soil before I put it back.
Hi, Doc. Thanks for this video - this is exactly the the method I will use this weekend as I fill some ruts. Question: I have a part rut that I also need to grow some new grass in. Should I fill the rut with your 50/50 mix first, then seed and cover with topsoil?
Thanks Doc, I will be leveling over the next few weeks. I have a new lawn and the irrigation lines have settled, and I am ready to have a smooth lawn......no ankle turns.
That's great...how do you fix a sloping lawn that is beginning to slope toward the house in some areas? Do I have to cut the sod and remove soil underneath? The slope helps to keep rain from the house foundation and as the lawn gets older it is uneven with dips and new shallow hills forming. Just enough to flood my front door sidewalk and enough to wash out the soil under my front door steps so that the first step to the door is very high now. The soil has 'sunk' underneath. I ripped my knee joint out getting up this step due to the height...
I get my large yard sprayed every year with 5 treatments and use a Simplicity with a self leveling deck and mow 3.5 to 4 inches. Hides those little dips.
This is _exactly_ what I was looking for. Two quick questions... 1) Is there a time of year that you *should* and *should not* do this? 2) What safety glasses are you wearing in the beginning? Thank you!!
Yup, really informative stuff, awesome! We have a very uneven lawn, hence why I'm here. I kinda like gently rolling hills but not channels so deep the mower can't get in. The plan is to do the rake thing but not drag a piece of wood! Cheers! 👍 - Liverpool, England!
Thanks for the tips. I have a lawn that I swear the bumps change locations every time I mow. One week it will be there and BAM next week it's over here. Use a riding mower and without shocks the bouncing plays havoc with my back.
I have TTTF and have the same issue, especially now that I had a new patio poured and have ruts/tracks from a bobcat through my backyard. Will this same mixture work for what I'm trying do, considering I have TTTF?
Should you mow the lawn at normal height or lower before you do this? How about dethatching before you start? Should you fertilizer the lawn before/after or not needed? I need to rise my backyard lawn about 2 inches on one side, it's not flat. Thank you for the video.
Good video for the homeowner.. It looks like you are in a warmer climate that I, would the 50/50 mix still be good for upstate New York, Rochester area...
Good video. I am doing almost the same thing to my lawn right now except that I did not use the sieve to take out the larger bits from the compost I am mixing with the sand. I should have. I am only worried that the grass is buried under the materiel at places and hope the grass comes out and not die.
Im watching from work with no audio and the subtitles are terrible, but what kind of sand? my local supply has play sand, concrete sand and stone dust...
You answered to all of my questions! New subbie. Now... to get our front lawn and backyard organized, first to do list is to check the weather because we get so much rain, ugh.
My lawn has raised about 2in in places and sunk2in in others over the years, where do I start in correcting this? The top soil is very dry but the soil and clay below holds a large amount of water.
Great info, thank you sir! My yard was left a shambles by the crew involved in my addition. They lost money on my job as it was. So yard restoration was not happening...lol!
Just watched your video and need to do some work on my own lawn, here in the Republic of Ireland. The soil here is very poor quality and has subsided significantly since the lawn was laid over eighteen years ago! Can I use your system and add lawn seed after the filling and leveling? Ink that the existing grass will die if it is covered and not getting any light. I’m hoping that your method with new grass seed sewn over the top and watered will do the job. Great video
Do you recommend doing this sorta stuff in the spring or fall? I live in zone 7b (long island, NY).......need to level out a big spot leading up to the patio.....let me know what season is best :)
Doc how much sand would you recommend per Yard of screened soil from a Topsoil supplier ? I am getting 10 yards delivered and what them to add the sand mix for me thanks.
I'm not doc, or an expert, but I would use top soil and sand for that. Top soil is really cheap, no point in wasting money. Use potting soil for leveling
love the yard/pool! is that Zoysia? I did by my yard and pool with zoysia a few years back. hard to keep that nice with kids and my dobie. what fertilizer do you use?
I just have a soft bumpy yard from moles. Don't want to do anything but press it down. Do you have any suggestions for that. I am thinking of buying or renting one of those big rollers that you fill with water. Then run around the yard pulling it with my lawn mower.
With a yard already this nice and literally perfecting the levels you sir have a LOT of time on your hands. But i do appreciate the how to i am actually going to use this method with laying turf
You did a nice job, but I would like to add one thing, before you add your topsoil sand mix. I find it best to break up the surface of the soil. You can aerate, use a spading fork to gently lift the soil, anything to relieve the compaction in that area. Otherwise you risk, a perched water table, as water runs through the freshly laid soil, and hits the compacted area underneath.
Is the main reason for not plain sand is heat? If in the north and in the shade is it a different situation? I got some low areas that are holding standing water.
Hi doc I have a st. Augustine lawn any pointers in doing this? I have a 2.5 inch deep ruts and bumpy lawn. Should I do 50/50 as well?, and how low should I cut my st. Aug grass before leveling? Thank you!
I've got a dog that has run some deep ruts in my back yard. It is also on a steepish slope, about 20 degrees if I was too guess. What would be the easiest way to fix that?
Thanks for the video. Couple questions... (1) What if some of the ruts are dead grass. Is it ok to mix seed into those areas as well? (2) Does the lawn have to be cut short in order to do the plywood leveling method? I guess it makes it easier but is it necessary? Thanks for the input!
We had all trees removed around our home after one fell on our house. I have serious ruts and gaps all around my property and a lot of missing grass where they took out stumps. Can or is it advisable to add Fraser seed to the mixture while your filling in all the gaps and huge ruts? Any help is appreciated. Great video, thank you.
I call those spots character. My yard has lots of character
Midnight and i'm watching How to level a lawn....
I live on the third floor of an apartment...
TY UA-cam.
beautiful
Hahahaha I'm watching at 12:30am.....your not alone hahahaha
@@daviddelgado8669 bro i just started a job of landscaping today i was all up nervous last night 2am watching this ughhh i hate this corona virus was laid off 2 weeks
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good choice! 😉
Lots of work, you just convinced me to pave my entire property
Shoo, this takes perfectionism to a new level, but I'm into it. My lawn is SO lumpy. Drives me insane. Adding doing this to the list as I've been thinking of bringing in a steam roller... this is more my financial speed.
This guy knows what he is talking about. I have watched lots of lawn leveling videos but his technique makes perfect sense. Homeowners I would strongly recommend following his technique.
I laughed out loud when I saw his definition of ‘deep rut’. Dude has definitely not seen my lawn!!
I've watched a lot of video on how to fix the lawn; this is the best one by far simple and right.
Perfect 👍!!! I am a 58 year old woman that has learned from UA-cam how to fill a yard hole!! I’ve already brought soul & sand and have that rack!!! 😂 Thanks 🙏 for showing me the start and finish. Amen 🙏
Thanks Doc. This is great! You explained this very well. I'm plagued with deep ruts in the pacific northwest. Can't wait to fix this right now!
Hello
I recently moved to Albany..and first time home owner..Well I bought a house and had no idea what I was doing.. Beautiful corner house, renovation needed but the landscape is bumpy, tree stumps in lawn, bugs, looks like mostly thatch...I found you searching for what to do to restore its beauty...Thank you for all your informing and much needed videos..
I have 2400 sq ft and its gonna take a lot of work...I appreciate you for demonstrating...
This is the best leveling video I’ve seen
That tying a rope to a 2x4 and dragging it is brilliant. I have a huge rut from a walnut tree that was removed like 40yrs ago I need to fill. This method will be my next project.
I sat and watched this entire video! I learned a lot from you. You are a good speaker too. Nicely done!!!!
I bought a levelawn from Amazon and it was fantastic for this very thing.
I just think they seem wildly expensive for what they are.
Rodger Quinn I’ve heard they are significantly more efficient than landscape rakes...though I agree on the price, as it is the reason I’ve hesitated to try one out for myself. Building a drag for now for pennies in comparison.
Your backyard and general landscaping is incredible. Thanks for the tutorial. I’m going to try everything you recommended in this video.
1- 2 inches ? What about 1-2 feet?
Thank you. I just bought a house and I have so many dips in the yard. I didn’t realize I need the mix. I’m now feeling encouraged
Amazing video. Count me as a new subscriber. You explain things so clearly. Even for a novice like me it seems simple. I need to level my new lawn due to moles that made it all bumpy. Thanks again and keep up the good work 👍
On my last lawn I used 50-50 sand and manure. Shoveled it all over the lawn and then towed a piece of chain link fence with my lawn tractor. Seemed to work well.
I like the mixture
Totally makes sense
I will use your method with potting soil and play sand mixture
Great job
When you level the lawn do you go back and put some grass seed in the leveling you did that was 3-4 inches?
Did my first leveling. Brand new home, 1 year old and had some insane bumps and ruts. Unfortunately I used a compost/sand mix with tons of sticks and rocks that I had to rake thereafter. Still have some left. I’ll do this method afterwards.
Straight forward..no BS, you got my subscription 👍🏼 thanks
Great video. However, we don't have that type of grass here. Should I follow the same procedure with a bluegrass mix?
I wanted to ask the same question, we use Blue grass in NJ too.
yea its going to take me multiple years to fix my lawn, its had a tree blown out of it from a tornado, a boat parked on it for 3 years from previous owners who thought grass more or less equaled anything green, and original leveling done by a bulldozer in one pass quick as possible :) I actually twisted my ankle in a rut last year lol, but least its got grass and not just 100% clover, onion and other weeds now, thanks to you doc
This dude would have a heart attack if he came to my house, lol
How would you determine if you have a high spot that needs to be removed? If you have a high spot you don't want to "level" your yard to the high spot. This is the one question I've never seen addressed on videos for leveling your yard.
You covered depressions in the lawn, but what about high spots? Obviously just pounding them down would just compress the soil. I have a zoysia lawn in GA that is now a year old. It is really thick and already developing a heavy thatch layer. I have watch several of your superb videos and they are very helpful. Just did not know if I should consider detaching such a young lawn? I was going to cut it short, dethatch, put down a layer of haumichar, and then the 50/50 mix to level it out. Thanks again for the great work.
Hi doc! My Lawn is not even is has a bump and then goes down. I watched your videos and brought sand. All I need to do is rake the sand evenly for the lawn to grow highly and evenly????
what about a clay based soil, will the sand become an issue ? (I have a Fescue lawn)
Just like to say doc you're video have improved and the beard is starting to fill in nicely 😊👍👍
Sometimes, you have to sift everything. I use a rubber concrete float to break up the chunks and push them through the screen. Where I used to live the soil was all bad fill, so I got into the habit of sifting the soil that I dig up, and mix in some garden soil before I put it back.
Hi, Doc. Thanks for this video - this is exactly the the method I will use this weekend as I fill some ruts.
Question: I have a part rut that I also need to grow some new grass in. Should I fill the rut with your 50/50 mix first, then seed and cover with topsoil?
Thanks Doc, I will be leveling over the next few weeks. I have a new lawn and the irrigation lines have settled, and I am ready to have a smooth lawn......no ankle turns.
Great Video. Thanks very much. I had no idea how to tackle this job and your information is so helpful.
This is a great video that you for sharing Doc! Very clear and simply explained, well demonstrated.
wow that is on a whole different level of lawn specialist
My lawn is a hill so no leveling but I do have water ruts so this is great for me. Thanks.
That's great...how do you fix a sloping lawn that is beginning to slope toward the house in some areas? Do I have to cut the sod and remove soil underneath? The slope helps to keep rain from the house foundation and as the lawn gets older it is uneven with dips and new shallow hills forming. Just enough to flood my front door sidewalk and enough to wash out the soil under my front door steps so that the first step to the door is very high now. The soil has 'sunk' underneath. I ripped my knee joint out getting up this step due to the height...
I get my large yard sprayed every year with 5 treatments and use a Simplicity with a self leveling deck and mow 3.5 to 4 inches. Hides those little dips.
What if it's deep enough to cover the grass completely? Put seed on top? Great video, simple.
Does it matter the length of your grass before you do this? Should I cut my grass really short right before?
Could you please tell me the best time of the year you do leveling of the yard
Thanks
Should I do this before Spring? Should I mow my lawn short?
😊😊Thanks for the DIY method of leveling.
Thanks for video. Video was really in depth and explained really thoroughly 👍will try this this year.
Thanks we have snow today live in zone 5 and as soon as the weather is good i will fix my lawn,one question how long after can i put down some seeds?
This is good tip. About how long will it take for the grass to show through the mix? Thanks
This is _exactly_ what I was looking for. Two quick questions...
1) Is there a time of year that you *should* and *should not* do this?
2) What safety glasses are you wearing in the beginning?
Thank you!!
Yup, really informative stuff, awesome! We have a very uneven lawn, hence why I'm here. I kinda like gently rolling hills but not channels so deep the mower can't get in. The plan is to do the rake thing but not drag a piece of wood! Cheers! 👍 - Liverpool, England!
Should mix grass seed in with the 50/50 mix,water 4 times a day,you’ll have your garden perfect within 21 days
Thanks for the tips. I have a lawn that I swear the bumps change locations every time I mow. One week it will be there and BAM next week it's over here. Use a riding mower and without shocks the bouncing plays havoc with my back.
It may be worm castings (worm poop). If so, use Carbaryl to kill them.
I have TTTF and have the same issue, especially now that I had a new patio poured and have ruts/tracks from a bobcat through my backyard. Will this same mixture work for what I'm trying do, considering I have TTTF?
This is AWESOME for the typical family home and yard - it is NOT going to work on my 20 acre lawn (former horse ranch)... but I love it!
Would adding pre emergent to the sand soil mix be a good idea? Just in case the top soil is bringing in weeds with it?
Should you mow the lawn at normal height or lower before you do this? How about dethatching before you start? Should you fertilizer the lawn before/after or not needed? I need to rise my backyard lawn about 2 inches on one side, it's not flat. Thank you for the video.
Good video for the homeowner.. It looks like you are in a warmer climate that I, would the 50/50 mix still be good for upstate New York, Rochester area...
Great video Doc! This confirms my train of thought for addressing the ditches in my lawn
very nice job on your lawn. thank you for your video,I took a lot of information from this video that i will use to fix my front yard. Thanks again
Wow trying this on my mother’s super bumpy lawn, thank you.
Man, you just saved my lawn, caz I was thinking to fill up it with pure sand only and I've got deeps 2''-3''. Thanks for you advise!
Good video. I am doing almost the same thing to my lawn right now except that I did not use the sieve to take out the larger bits from the compost I am mixing with the sand. I should have. I am only worried that the grass is buried under the materiel at places and hope the grass comes out and not die.
Im watching from work with no audio and the subtitles are terrible, but what kind of sand? my local supply has play sand, concrete sand and stone dust...
You answered to all of my questions! New subbie. Now... to get our front lawn and backyard organized, first to do list is to check the weather because we get so much rain, ugh.
My lawn has raised about 2in in places and sunk2in in others over the years, where do I start in correcting this? The top soil is very dry but the soil and clay below holds a large amount of water.
Great info, thank you sir! My yard was left a shambles by the crew involved in my addition. They lost money on my job as it was. So yard restoration was not happening...lol!
Lots of great tips and info in this video. Have a couple spots in my meyer zoysia I need to level out. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Thanks for the video. Looks like i will be doing this as a quarantine task
Just watched your video and need to do some work on my own lawn, here in the Republic of Ireland. The soil here is very poor quality and has subsided significantly since the lawn was laid over eighteen years ago!
Can I use your system and add lawn seed after the filling and leveling? Ink that the existing grass will die if it is covered and not getting any light.
I’m hoping that your method with new grass seed sewn over the top and watered will do the job. Great video
Do you recommend doing this sorta stuff in the spring or fall? I live in zone 7b (long island, NY).......need to level out a big spot leading up to the patio.....let me know what season is best :)
Thanks for sharing Doc, very good information. Love it.
Second time watching this one. Thank you Man o’ knowledge.
Doc how much sand would you recommend per Yard of screened soil from a Topsoil supplier ? I am getting 10 yards delivered and what them to add the sand mix for me thanks.
Can screened top soil be used instead of potting soil?
I have some large holes in back yard from dogs digging. Should I use a 50/50 mix with play sand & potting soil??
I'm not doc, or an expert, but I would use top soil and sand for that. Top soil is really cheap, no point in wasting money. Use potting soil for leveling
brandon macias I want to know the answer to this to
Just found your channel....enjoyed this video a lot and subscribed.
love the yard/pool! is that Zoysia? I did by my yard and pool with zoysia a few years back. hard to keep that nice with kids and my dobie. what fertilizer do you use?
I just have a soft bumpy yard from moles. Don't want to do anything but press it down. Do you have any suggestions for that. I am thinking of buying or renting one of those big rollers that you fill with water. Then run around the yard pulling it with my lawn mower.
With a yard already this nice and literally perfecting the levels you sir have a LOT of time on your hands.
But i do appreciate the how to i am actually going to use this method with laying turf
its all about staying busy, always improving
thank you Doc, really helpful as i have a lot of these and will be my next project
when you calculate your ratios for a soil/sand mix, are you using weight or volume?
How do you level like a 6-12” hole where a stump use to be? Would you use the same mix or put down some stone for the first layer?
You did a nice job, but I would like to add one thing, before you add your topsoil sand mix. I find it best to break up the surface of the soil. You can aerate, use a spading fork to gently lift the soil, anything to relieve the compaction in that area. Otherwise you risk, a perched water table, as water runs through the freshly laid soil, and hits the compacted area underneath.
Hi Doc, when is the best time for leveling the lawn?
Is the main reason for not plain sand is heat? If in the north and in the shade is it a different situation?
I got some low areas that are holding standing water.
i like it. i have some tire ruts out on the devil strip from tree removal trucks 2 yrs ago. i'll get around to this. thanks.
How low should I cut the grass to get the best leveling gauge? Front yard needs quite a bit of work and this inspired me to give it a shot
If I could get it down to BARE dirt my life would be great. Makes it easier the lower you go.
Your yard is beautiful
So how do you get rid of a large hump I have probably 60 or 70 feet long maybe 4 to 6 inches in places and 3 or so feet wide
Would the ratio be the same for clay soil in Toronto,Canada?
I am planning on over seeding my yard. Would it be ok to this right after or should I wait?
Thank you for the great video and instruction!!
Hi doc I have a st. Augustine lawn any pointers in doing this? I have a 2.5 inch deep ruts and bumpy lawn. Should I do 50/50 as well?, and how low should I cut my st. Aug grass before leveling? Thank you!
is that 50 / 50 mix by weight or volume?
Excellent video. Great information.
I've got a dog that has run some deep ruts in my back yard. It is also on a steepish slope, about 20 degrees if I was too guess. What would be the easiest way to fix that?
Great video! I'm in the deep south with a St. Augustine lawn. Is it ok to scalp this type of grass? I've always been told to cut no shorter than 3".
I would not scalp it in the summer.
Such a beautiful back yard. Great video thanks Doc.
Thanks for the video. Couple questions... (1) What if some of the ruts are dead grass. Is it ok to mix seed into those areas as well? (2) Does the lawn have to be cut short in order to do the plywood leveling method? I guess it makes it easier but is it necessary? Thanks for the input!
We had all trees removed around our home after one fell on our house. I have serious ruts and gaps all around my property and a lot of missing grass where they took out stumps. Can or is it advisable to add Fraser seed to the mixture while your filling in all the gaps and huge ruts? Any help is appreciated. Great video, thank you.