How To Level A Garden With A Mini Digger? The 127 Detailed Answer

Having an uneven yard or lawn can be a pain. They look unsightly and can be quite inconvenient when it comes to enjoying and maintaining your garden.

As landscape gardeners, we are often asked to level uneven gardens. We take care of clumpy, uneven gardens and sloping gardens on a monthly basis.

This article will walk you through the top methods of dealing with uneven gardens and lawns. Your options to fix the problem and some pro tips along the way.

Two methods of leveling a lawn or garden

Method 1: Touch up

Summary: Fill in gaps and chop off highlights, then add additional grass seeds to the lawn.

Best Suited For: Only slightly bumpy lawns with some low and high points.

Works for: most problems where the uneven areas are less than 50mm deep and 0.5m wide

Average cost per square metre: £4

Effort required: Low

Method 2: Start over

Summary: Rotate the entire lawn, level the area and dash across it

Best for: anything Method 1 doesn’t work for

Works for: all but the worst lawns and gardens

Average cost per square metre: £13

Effort required: Moderate

Step-by-step instructions on how to level an uneven lawn or garden

Before you begin, you need to find out which of the above methods would be effective. If you only have a minor bump with some dips or a mount, Method 1 may be right for you.

If the problems are more severe, you probably need method 2. Method 2 also guarantees practically good results, while method 1 can sometimes give disappointing results.

Do you have poor garden drainage? Leveling a garden can be a good time to install drainage. Check out our smart drainage tool to see how best to improve your garden’s drainage.

Method 1: Touch up

This method is called patching because most of the lawn or yard is still in good condition.

Step 1: Remove any highlights or hard lumps

First, identify any points that are above the level where you want to place the turf. Dig them up with a good quality spade and discard them.

Don’t be afraid to go a little below where you need to be as the next level will fill holes.

Step 2: Add and level the top soil

Use some good quality dry topsoil and add it generously to any areas that are below the required depth.

Use our topsoil calculator to see how much topsoil you need to order and how much it could cost

Areas that are significantly lower, i. H. 3 – 5 cm, add some soil and then compact lightly with your foot.

Add more loose soil at the top again. This loose soil is finely leveled.

Use a leveling rake to clear the soil first in one direction and then in the adjacent direction. You can see all the indentations by bringing your eyes closer to the ground.

Grading rakes are larger and flatter than regular rakes. They ensure an even distribution of both the larger and the finer soil particles.

Here are two of our most recommended ground rakes. Wider rakes make leveling easier.

Wolf-Garten Multi-Change long span rake

Very durable

detachable head

Good width

Check price on Amazon

Solid ground rake from Fiskars

what we use

Extremely strong

Check price on Amazon

If the floor looks level to the eye, you can move on to the next step.

Step 3: Seed the area

Make sure you choose good quality weed seed that is weed free and has a good mix of healthy weed specimens

We recommend first applying around 50 g per square meter with a lawn seed spreader. For larger areas, the push-along grass seed spreaders work fantastic. A hand-held grass seed spreader is sufficient for smaller areas.

Scott’s EverGreen Handy Spreader

manual winding

Cheap

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Ryobi OSS1800 18V ONE+ Cordless Seed Spreader

Very fast

Great brand

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After planting the grass seed, use a roller to lightly compact the soil. the soil should not be tightly compacted, as this will prevent the grass from taking root;

After the slight compaction, distribute another 30 grams of grass seed per square meter of soil.

Water thoroughly and be sure to follow all seed manufacturer’s instructions for caring for the new grass.

Pro tip: There are many types of grass and many different types of grass seed mixes. If you can figure out what seed was originally seeded on your lawn, make sure you find a similar mix to the one you already have.

If like most of them you are clueless, then opt for a good quality general weed seed mix.

Method 2: Start over

If your method one loan has gone too far or you just want to guarantee great results, this method is for you.

Step 1: Remove rocks, weeds, or debris

With this method, whatever is currently in the lawn ends up under the new lawn. To ensure your new lawn or garden is nice and flat, you need to remove things that are disrupting it.

Walk around the yard and dig up large rocks, weeds, debris, or large clods of clay if you have clay soil.

Discard these and continue to the next step.

Pro tip: If there are weeds in the garden or lawn, you need to remove them first. Anything rotated in the next step has the potential to grow through the new turf.

If the lawn has a lot of weeds, you will need to add an extra step to remove the top 50mm and discard them before proceeding.

Step 2: Use a tiller to churn up the soil

Next you need to level the current garden or lawn so that it is soft and malleable enough to level. Make sure you do this when the floor is reasonably dry to avoid a lot of unnecessary hard work trying to move wet floor.

Use a tiller, which can be hired from most hire shops in the UK for around £40. Push the tiller through the lawn or garden according to the safety instructions until it is fully raised.

Step 3: Add or remove enough soil

Now that you have a beautifully manicured lawn, you can add or remove material to ensure your new garden or lawn is the right height.

It might be a good idea to bring in some good quality topsoil to ensure your new lawn has a fertile base.

Bring the top of the soil a few inches above where you want to place the lawn. The soil becomes compacted and settles over time, ending up a little lower than it is now.

Pro tip: If you have clay soil that isn’t well suited for growing grass, this is a great opportunity to add sand. Put a good 1 to 2 cm thick layer of sand on the ground before rotating. This will help break up the clay and work the soil much easier.

Step 4: Level the Lawn or Garden

This step is very important to get it right as it is the whole reason you are doing this in the first place.

There are two main methods to level small areas like a garden or lawn.

The less accurate but cheap way

The first is the use of strings of strings set up between pegs and levels using a spirit level. Use small plumb line spirit levels to make adjustments quickly and easily.

Divide the area into 10′ x 10′ sections and set up stringers slightly above the desired ground level.

Using a rake or large flat spirit level, work around the area to ensure it is level with the plumb line.

Repeat this process until you have covered the entire garden area.

The professional way

To do this, you need to buy a laser level and a laser receiver. These are quite expensive items, but they guarantee a high level of accuracy. They can be used for all kinds of indoor and outdoor DIY projects.

Terraform driveways use these for large projects where a bubble level would introduce many inaccuracies

Self-leveling green laser

self-leveling

Visible in sunlight

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Self-leveling red laser

what we use

self-leveling

Visible in sunlight

Check price on Amazon

Set up the laser in a corner of the area. Use the laser receiver and a tape measure to determine how far below the spirit level you want the surface of the garden to be.

You can now go to any spot in the garden and use the tape measure and laser receiver to check that it is at the right height.

Use a rake to move the earth until all areas are at the right level.

Step 5: Lay the lawn

We are producing an extensive guide to laying the perfect lawn, but in the meantime there are plenty of lawn laying guides online.

We hope you found this quick guide to garden and lawn leveling helpful. Take a look around our website for more information on garden improvements and landscaping jobs.

An uneven lawn with lumps and bumps isn’t ideal for your yard, but you can usually work around it.

Slopes, on the other hand, can disrupt all sorts of gardening activities.

This guide covers everything you need to know about leveling a sloping garden, including – most importantly – whether you should do the job yourself or hire professional landscapers.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Reasons to level your garden.

What you need to level a sloping garden.

How do you actually do the leveling?

Retaining wall material options.

This is how you decide whether to do the work yourself or hire help.

How long the job might take.

Let’s start.

Why level your garden?

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to do much with a slope, especially when it’s very steep.

While there are some plants that thrive in a sloping garden, chairs won’t stay level, the grass will be uncomfortable to sit or lie on, and the incline will interfere with play.

However, an incline does not mean that the course is permanently out of service.

There are a few ways to balance a garden and this guide will walk you through them.

The main reason people want to level a sloping garden is to give themselves a larger usable space.

But since a slope can also cause problems with flooding and soil erosion, leveling it makes sense, not just to make your garden more pleasant to relax in.

Here are some of the other benefits of leveling a sloping garden:

It helps with drainage and can divert runoff water away from your property.

A flat lawn is easier to mow.

A level lawn means more water can penetrate the soil, which means it holds more nutrients.

There is more space to relax or for children to play.

A beautiful sloping garden with several retaining walls

What you need to level a slope

This is a tall order, but the list of tools you’ll need isn’t very long.

A couple of stakes and string to measure the rise and fall of your current garden.

for measuring the slope and level of your current garden. A spirit level to check if everything is level.

to check if things are flat. water to moisten your soil.

to moisten your soil. A shovel for digging.

to dig with. The materials for your retaining wall (discussed in a later section).

(discussed in a later section). A soil compactor to crush everything.

to crush everything. Grass seed or turf for your beautiful new lawn.

How to level a sloping garden

The process and the guiding logic are the same, regardless of whether the slope is facing away from your house or towards it.

However, remember that if the slope faces your home, you should leave a walkway between the retaining wall and your home. This allows access and drainage. [Source]

Keep in mind that this is a lot of work in practice, although it might not seem like much on paper.

To even out a tilt, watch this video for a time-lapse demonstration of the entire process:

Or follow each step in the guide below:

1) Make sure you have permission

This is an important first step that can easily be overlooked.

Check with utility companies and your community to ensure there are no wires under your yard that will be interrupted and whether the work you plan to do will require planning permission. [Source]

If planning permission is required, make sure you get it before work begins!

2) Measure the slope and slope of the slope

Image courtesy of WikiHow

In this step you can determine how high the retaining wall needs to be.

Two stakes are placed, one at the top and one at the bottom of the slope, and a cord is tied between them.

The string is called the “run,” and its height on the second post is called the “rise.”

On the top stake, the line should be at ground level and stretch to meet the other stake.

At this point, place a spirit level on the line to verify that it is level.

It’s important to get this right as your new lawn will follow the walking line.

With this step you will determine the height needed for your retaining wall as well as the amount of soil you will need to fill the gap behind it.

If you think back to school math, the slope and slope measurements give you two sides of a triangle that you can calculate the area of.

Multiplying the area of ​​this triangle by the length of your retaining wall gives you the approximate volume of space that needs to be filled behind the retaining wall.

3) Water the soil you are going to dig

Try to do this at least 24 hours before you start digging as it will make the soil easier to work with.

However, be careful not to overwater: wet soil can be just as difficult to work with as dry soil.

4) Build the retaining wall

Building a retaining wall can require quite a bit of lifting

A retaining wall serves to support the newly created land in your yard and to keep your beautiful new flat lawn from collapsing after rainfall.

The retaining wall holds back the pressure of the ground and the penetrating water when it rains.

It is extremely important that the materials used for the wall are strong enough to reduce the risk of collapse, but we will cover that in the next section.

You should aim for a retaining wall no higher than two feet.

Beyond that point, they are under high pressure that makes collapse more likely.

If the slope of your sloped yard is over two feet, consider building a series of patios instead.

This guide is tailored to leveling a sloping garden, but the process for installing a series of patios is similar.

5) Fill up earth behind the retaining wall

Once the retaining wall is erected and stable, fill in earth behind it.

This soil will form your new level garden – so it is important to carefully follow this step until level ground is achieved.

If you’re just raising a lawn, you can order topsoil to fill the gap behind your retaining wall.

If you lower part of the lawn, you can use the soil removed from here to fill in the gap behind the retaining wall.

6) Make sure the new lawn is level

Use a spirit level to ensure your lawn is level

Before you start compacting the soil, it is important to check that it is level and at the right level.

There may be times when you need to add or even remove some soil before the next step.

Measuring the spirit level by eye is a good start, but the spirit level you used earlier will be your friend here: lay it out in a few spots on the lawn to check that everything is flat and level.

You can also use the stake and string method again: place a stake at each corner of your lawn and run the string between them at an even height on each stake.

When your lawn is level, so is the cord.

At this stage, you can apply a layer of compost of even thickness to your soil if you want to make sure it has enough nutrients.

7) Compact the soil

Now the floor is level, compacting will help remove air and voids.

This step reduces the chance of bumps and lumps appearing in your newly leveled yard after the next rain.

It also protects the retaining wall’s structural integrity by subjecting it to more uniform pressures.

Running a soil compactor back and forth across the soil a few times should do the trick.

8) Plant a new lawn

Now it’s time to plant or lay grass on the exposed ground.

If you are growing from seed, scatter the seeds over the soil according to the instructions on the seed packet.

If using turf, lay the panels flat and as close together as possible.

Once they’ve taken root, it’s almost impossible to see the lines or gaps between the different parts.

9) Compact the lawn

Once you’ve decided to go this route, get the soil compactor (or a lawn roller) out and run it over the lawn.

This helps the roots grow faster and ensures the grass is walkable.

10) Take a moment to appreciate your hands-on work!

If you’ve come this far, congratulations. It’s a tough job and you deserve a pat on the back and a seat.

What materials are used for a retaining wall?

You have a few options, each with their own aesthetic and functional considerations:

Concrete Holding Blocks: These aren’t the cheapest options, but they’re specifically designed for the job. Many blocks are hollow in the middle, and this space is filled with dirt. A plant can be grown to overhang the side of the block and eventually hide it behind some foliage.

: These aren’t the cheapest options, but they’re built specifically for the job. Many blocks are hollow in the middle, and this space is filled with dirt. A plant can be grown to overhang the side of the block and eventually hide it behind some foliage. Breeze Blocks: These are cheaper than custom-made holding blocks, but they’re not hollow, so the surface is always exposed.

: These are cheaper than custom made holding blocks, but they are not hollow so the surface is always exposed. House bricks are a popular choice that combine strength with a beautiful aesthetic. Using the same bricks as your home can achieve a nice consistency of design.

are a popular choice that combine material strength with a beautiful aesthetic. Using the same bricks as your home can achieve a nice consistency of design. Natural stone: the most expensive, but also very aesthetically pleasing.

: the most expensive, but also very aesthetic. Reclaimed Railroad Ties: the only wood strong enough to make a viable retaining wall.

: the only wood strong enough to build a viable retaining wall. Gabions: These are the stone-filled wire meshes sometimes seen to buffer steep walls next to highways (see below).

A retaining wall that uses gabions

Dry stone or masonry are generally recommended over wood for their durability.

A reader recommended reclaimed wooden sleepers if you consider wood to be an essential aspect of your retaining wall: these are designed to be very strong.

Leveling a sloping garden: do-it-yourselfer or hired help?

While it is entirely possible to level a sloping garden without professional help, please remember that this is a big job!

Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before the shovel breaks the ground.

The most important thing is to get the retaining wall right.

If this one gets up and holds back the ground behind, happy days. If not, you may be looking at timely and expensive repairs.

If you do the work yourself and manage to have a retaining wall built, you need to make sure it’s strong enough.

We’ve read horror stories of people building walls that fell down after the first rain and being forced to hire professional help to fix the mess.

If you’re not comfortable with the scope of the job, it may be best to talk to contractors about your options.

The initial cost can save time, hassle, and even money in the long run.

How long does it take to level a slope?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this. The time required depends on a few factors:

The size of your garden.

How many people help.

How steep the slope is.

However, don’t expect this to be a quick job like we’ve said before.

Forum posts discussing leveling sloping gardens assume a minimum of two weeks estimate for most garden sizes.

Top tips for leveling a sloping garden

If you’re doing the work yourself, try using soil you’ll dig up elsewhere.

Dumps are very expensive to rent and removing soil in this way can quickly add up to the price of the job.

Work is the number one place you have an opportunity to save money, but remember what we said earlier about the magnitude of this job.

Try to level your lawn in early spring if possible to give your new lawn the best chance of growing vigorously over the summer.

As a general rule, retaining walls are best no higher than two feet.

Beyond this height there is a risk that the structure will become unstable due to the incredible pressure exerted on the wall by the ground behind.

Be sure to put “weep holes” at the bottom of stone or concrete walls to allow water to drain from the ground behind.

It is absolutely essential that you take the weight of the water into account when designing your wall, otherwise it may collapse under the added pressure of rain.

There you have it…

Hopefully this guide has given you the information you need to decide whether you should level your yard yourself or hire help.

And if you chose the former, you know what you’re dealing with!

A leveled garden will really pay off in most cases.

The extra space it opens up can be used for so many things, and the clean, clean lines add to a more beautiful garden design.

A yard with bumps and bumps is not only unattractive, it is also a potential safety hazard with ample opportunity to cause trips, falls and sprained ankles. Many events can cause an uneven yard—including drainage problems, leaks in pipes that lie below the surface, and lawn pests like maggots or moles disrupting the lawn’s root structure—but none need to derail your overall landscaping efforts.

Improper sorting can also cause problems with a home’s foundation or basement. Before you start leveling your lawn’s surface, fix the underlying problem so it doesn’t happen again in the future. Then follow these steps to leveling a garden to transform your lawn into the smooth, lush, green landscape you’ve always wanted.

The benefits of floor leveling

It’s hard to enjoy a yard full of bumps and bumps, and a safety issue can arise for active kids who might trip over tufts of grass or bend their ankles in depressions in the ground. Sometimes a landscape becomes uneven with plantings and projects like pool installations or the addition of a walkway. Leveling these areas will help ensure the right amount of water reaches all lawns and plants, avoiding muddy patches or wasting water.

Leveling the ground results in easier routine lawn care. The mower won’t snag on clods and you can rake leaves more easily. Of course, an even, lush lawn looks pretty and is easy to maintain, and leveling your lawn will greatly increase its curb appeal to potential buyers.

If water runs from the yard to the house, you can prevent damage to the foundation by leveling the yard. Typically, a contractor will grade a garden when preparing the site for a new home to ensure it slopes away from the structure. You can often spot and correct low spots near the foundation, but sometimes grading the garden requires the help of a professional.

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However, many of the problems that cause an uneven yard occur in lawns and can easily be fixed yourself with our tips to restore the benefits of a level landscape. These benefits include:

More fun and more safety for family games

Easier maintenance

Improved curb appeal

Efficient use of water

When to Grad a Yard

Consider leveling a backyard or front yard if water runs onto the street or puddles, if it looks unsightly, or if you have trouble stepping or moving over lumps and dips. Knowing when to level a yard depends in part on the underlying cause of the lumps and dips. For example, if the lawn has compacted in areas due to foot traffic, e.g. B. from daily trips to the tree house, consider leveling it up for the kids ahead of “club season” and even creating a hardscape path.

In most cases, however, the steps below work best if you do them in the spring. This is when the warm season weed is just emerging from dormancy. However, if the ground is still wet from snowmelt or spring rains, wait for it to dry out before following the steps below. Likewise, correct yard grade issues in dry weather, then check your work the next time it rains.

STEP 1: Mow the lawn.

Start mowing your lawn. Cut it short, but not so short that you scalp it. If you cut it so that grass stalks are showing, the grass is prone to drying out.

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STEP 2: Examine the amount of thatch on the lawn roots and then remove as needed.

Take a closer look at your grass roots and determine the amount of thatch on your lawn. Thatch is the layer of rotted grass and other organic matter at the base of the lawn. About ¼ to ½ inch of straw is acceptable, but more than that will prevent the grass from getting adequate air and water.

If you have more than ½ inch of straw, remove it (or at least loosen it significantly) by systematically running a straw rake over the surface to pull it up. Or, if your lawn is larger, run a scarifier over it. You can rent a scarifier from a hardware store, which will make the process much faster.

STEP 3: Mix sand, topsoil and compost together.

Make a top dressing mix of two parts sand, two parts topsoil, and one part compost to fill in the undergrass area in sunken areas of your lawn. The sand helps maintain a level garden as it doesn’t compact easily, while the soil and compost contain nutrients your weed needs to thrive.

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STEP 4: Dig up the grass in sunken parts of the lawn and fill in with the soil mix.

If you have low spots or depressions that are deeper than 2 or 3 inches, you should remove the grass above them before filling the holes. Dig up the sod by sticking the blade of a shovel in on the outside of a low spot and pushing it down and under about 2 or 3 inches to get under the grass roots. Then pry up the grass with the shovel to reveal the dirt underneath. Fill the hole with the top dressing mixture and place the grass back on top.

If you experience some low spots near your home, follow a similar procedure to gently slope the ground away from the foundation. Dig up the soil and arrange it so that it is higher near the house but not so high that it covers the entire foundation. Then tilt it about 1 inch for each foot away from the house. If the slope of the entire yard slopes down towards the house, you may need help with proper grading.

STEP 5: Spread the rest of the soil mix in a thin layer to level the entire lawn.

Once the bottom patches are filled, use a shovel to spread the top dressing mixture all over your lawn to a depth of about ¼ to ½ inch. Even if you think your weed will need more than this depth to even out, play it safe and stick to a thin layer – a thicker layer could smother your weed. If necessary, you can repeat this process (see step 7) to add a second layer.

Then spread the top dressing mixture evenly over the grass by pulling and pushing with the back of a bow rake. Work the mixture into the gradual deep spots and pockets as you level the lawn. When the grass blades are completely covered by the mixture, the grass is choking on light deprivation, so continue using a push broom to further work the mixture into the soil at the base of the lawn grass, exposing the blades.

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STEP 6: Run the sprinklers.

Water your lawn to allow the top dressing mixture to settle in the grass and fill any air pockets. Running your lawn sprinklers will also revitalize your lawn as it will boost the infusion of nutrients from the compost into the mix.

STEP 7: Reapply floor mix as needed.

After a few waterings, look for runoff or standing water in puddles. You may need more than one application of top dressing to completely flatten your lawn. Apply the second coat after steps 5 and 6 as soon as you see the grass actively starting to grow or when you can no longer see the first application of top dressing applied.

Final Thoughts

Once you know how to level a garden, it’s a rewarding and relatively easy project to tackle in the spring. Ground leveling can bring back fun and attractiveness to your lawn and prevent water wastage and water damage to the house.

First determine the cause, then use the steps above to deal with clumps and low spots. If you see water leaking toward the foundation of your home, repair the embankment. Once you’ve leveled your yard, ongoing maintenance should be easier.

Frequently asked questions about grading a yard

Yard leveling doesn’t have to be difficult, but knowing the steps involved – and tips to make the job easier – always helps! We’ve expanded some here with answers to frequently asked questions.

Q. How do you fix an uneven lawn?

Once you know how to level the floor, it’s a fairly simple process. Mow the lawn first, then identify depressions. Fill them with a mixture of compost, sand, and topsoil. Dig up sod in high places and remove some of the soil before adding a thin layer of the same mix and replacing the sod. Cover the entire lawn with a ¼ to ½ inch layer of topsoil and then water it. You may need to re-tighten after the floor has settled.

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Q. How much does it cost to level a yard?

Fixing bumps and bumps caused by foot traffic, digging, plants or thatched grass shouldn’t cost more than a few tools and materials. Most of the tools, like a shovel and bow rake, are probably already in your shed. If you don’t have a scarifier, renting one can cost as much as $80 a day. Buying a manual straw rake typically costs $40-$50.

When leveling a garden you can sometimes move soil from high spots to low areas, but in other circumstances you may need to purchase topsoil and sand to complete the project. A 40-pound bag of topsoil typically costs less than $10.

Q. When should I level my lawn?

In most cases, spring is the best time to level your lawn. Warm season grass is coming out of dormancy, and any sod plugs you dig up and replant after leveling have a better chance of surviving spring temps from the heat of summer. If the snowmelt or spring rains were heavy, delay leveling until the ground dries up, or you can do more damage in mud and mud.

Q. How do I level my entire yard?

For lawns, mow the grass and fill in low spots while digging up clumps or high spots. Put the grass back in place once it’s level, then cover the lawn with a ½ inch layer of compost and level the lawn with the back of a flat rake. Use leveling sand to fix uneven pavers or pavement paths. If your entire yard has a slope problem, you may need to call in a garden planner to properly slope the property.

Q. What kind of dirt do you use for sorting?

Generally, removing or plowing the top few 6 to 8 inches of soil can loosen it. Then mix in some new topsoil with the existing soil. Add enough to form a slope away from the house; In general, an incline of about 2 percent will work. Let the soil settle for a few days and then check the slope again. Check for utility lines before you dig, and if your basement is flooded or the job is complex, consider hiring a professional to straighten the yard.

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Q. How far should dirt be from the foundation?

Dirt can be near the foundation as long as it’s not too high. Make sure at least 4 inches of foundation is visible above the dirt layer. Most importantly, you continue to incline the dirt away from the house, lowering it about 1 inch for every foot of distance from the foundation. If the dirt is too high near the house, remove enough to expose the foundation to allow it to dry out, but don’t leave a low spot around the house. Instead, continue to remove or rake dirt from the foundation to create a roughly 2 percent slope toward the yard. When the dirt level near the foundation is satisfactory, add topsoil near the foundation and gently rake down to create the slope.

As homeowners, we pride ourselves on preserving our gardens. Leveling a garden can be a tough job, but trust us when we tell you that it will make your garden maintenance life a whole lot easier.

It’s also an extremely handy skill that can save you pennies if you’re a DIYer up for a challenge. It will almost always add value to your property once it’s all done, so it’s definitely worth it!

Read on to learn exactly how to level a garden.

causes

When it comes to sloping or uneven lawns, there are a few common suspects that can cause the damage:

Waterlogging – During the cold and wet winter months, the weather can play a major role in undoing all your hard work by causing lumpy, uneven sections of the garden.

– During the cold and wet winter months, the weather can play a major role in undoing all your hard work by causing lumpy bumps in the garden. Subsidence – Objects such as pipes and rocks that are hidden underground can affect your lawn. Digging up your lawn is the best repair method.

– Objects such as pipes and rocks hidden underground can affect your lawn. Digging up your lawn is the best repair method. Animals – The culprits vary depending on where you live, but animals are the main culprits for an uneven lawn. They dig and roam your garden in search of food. If you sow regularly, you give your lawn deeper roots and make it difficult for animals to dig up your lawn.

– The culprits vary depending on where you live, but animals are the main culprits for an uneven lawn. They dig and roam your garden in search of food. If you sow regularly, you give your lawn deeper roots and make it difficult for animals to dig up your lawn. Children – If the children play a good old-fashioned bulldog game on the soft garden soil, it will not end well for the lawn. The pressure on the grass will damage the grass surface in the long run.

– If the kids play a good old-fashioned bulldog game on the soft garden soil, it won’t end well for the lawn. The pressure on the grass will damage the grass surface in the long run. Nightcrawlers – These insects love to move the ground in their search for food. Too bad it ruins your weed. Lowering the soil pH is a smart way to prevent the problem.

It is important to get a handle on the causes and problems before beginning the leveling process.

This article provides a definitive guide to leveling your yard that will have all the neighbors looking over your fence with envy!

When should you level your garden?

When you’ve put your heart and soul into the garden and all you’ve been rewarded with are uneven, bumpy dips, then it’s time to take action.

Constantly encountering problems with your drainage system is a clear sign that you need to level your garden. Drainage problems can be difficult to fix yourself, so you may need to seek advice from a landscaper.

Damaged pipes are another red flag as they tend to create bumps and water down your garden.

The best time to start leveling your garden is in spring. This allows your wet soil to settle and gives your grass seed enough time to grow. If you’re lucky with the weather you can get away with some sensible leveling in the autumn (a bit risky in Scotland!).

The most important thing to remember is to make sure your soil is moist and soft before you start. We recommend watering your soil a few days before starting – if your soil is too wet it will be very difficult to work with.

depth of soil moisture

You must water your soil to a depth of at least 15 cm (6 inches) to ensure it is moist enough. You can check your soil moisture depth in several ways:

Use a Spade – Using a sharp spade, cut straight into the soil until you feel it is about 6 inches deep. You can either use your garden eye to make a decision or you can get a ruler from around the house to get a more reliable reading.

– Cut straight into the soil with a sharp spade until you feel it is about 6 inches deep. You can either use your garden eye to make a decision or you can get a ruler from around the house to get a more reliable reading. Use Your Hand – If you don’t mind getting a bit of dirt under your nails, you can do it the old fashioned way! Pull out the soil from the required depth and squeeze it in your hand to feel if it is wet.

– If you don’t mind getting a bit of dirt under your nails, you can do it the old fashioned way! Pull out the soil from the required depth and squeeze it in your hand to feel if it is wet. Soil Moisture Sensor – If you like your gardening tools, you can stick your easy-to-read soil moisture sensor into the soil. It shows you whether the soil is wet or dry at the depth of the sensor.

How to level small bumps (flat low spots).

After evaluating your garden, it’s really important that you choose the right method to fix the problem. This will prevent further damage in the future.

There are two main methods: one for patching small bumps (shallow deep spots) and another for deeper holes (deep deep spots). Both methods require you to apply a mixture to the damaged areas of the lawn. Called a top dressing mix, it must contain 2 parts sand, 2 parts topsoil, and 1 part compost. You can easily make this mixture with a spade or shovel.

For the small bumps (1-2 cm deep):

Start by applying a thin layer of our mixture to the entire damaged area. After application, you need to spread it evenly with a garden rake. You then want to tamp down (grab) the soil with your feet and rake, followed by a small mist of water to help it settle. Job done for now – leave the mixture on for 48 hours. Be sure to check the progress! When you come back you can apply the grass seed as well as another small layer of topsoil mix. Give the soil a light spray of water 4 times a day for the next 48 hours to ensure the grass seeds germinate. Finally, water the area regularly to allow the grass seeds to grow.

How to level deeper holes (deeper low points)

As you might have guessed, leveling deeper holes is the more complex of the two methods:

First of all, if your holes are deeper than 2 cm, you will need an angular shovel. Use your shovel to make an “X marks the spot” shape through the deep hole. Your “X” should be about 2 inches deep. Make sure the center of your “X” lines up with the center of your hole and the edges of your “X” extend beyond the edges of the hole. Now you want to connect the edges of your “X” to form a 4 segment square. After doing this, remove each segment one at a time, keeping the shovel as horizontal as possible to get an even thickness of soil. Remember to save the grass/soil if you reuse it. (If your soil is too dry and crumbly, you will find out at this point). Remove all rocks/debris and break up large chunks. Compact the soil by standing on it (this reduces the chance of it sinking later). Add the mixture (2 parts sand, 2 parts topsoil, and 1 part compost) until it fills the allotted area. Rake across the area to loosen the soil. Replant the originally dug turf segments or replace them with new turf. Start at the edges of your “X” and work your way into the bottom. Sprinkle the remaining gaps with the top dressing mixture to keep them from drying out. Finally, after all your hard work, remember to water regularly to allow the grass seeds to grow.

How to level a sloping garden

Before you make the decision to level your sloping garden, it’s handy to know that a slight slope in the garden is actually the key to good drainage. You should think carefully about whether you need to level your garden. Some easy to moderate slopes may not need leveling at all.

If your slope is manageable, consider the possibility of growing flower beds and vegetables. You never want exposed soil, so flowers and veggies will keep your soil healthy and improve drainage.

It will also save you a lot of time and money, and make your garden more attractive and practical.

If you decide to go this route, make sure you don’t leave any soil exposed when planting as it can cause erosion and drainage problems.

Leveling a sloping garden requires different methods depending on the severity of your slope.

Create low terraces

One method of leveling a sloping garden is to add stepped terraces to make it easier to plant your plants and veggies etc. Patios can also provide a great relaxation space, so you can show off your new and improved yard at all those summer barbecues!

If you are looking to add decking to your patio, you can use our personalized decking calculator to get an accurate quote within two days.

For small jobs it can be as simple as moving the soil already in your yard, followed by adding brackets in the area where you are creating the stairs. If you think this applies to you, you don’t need to purchase soil filler to help with the structure of the stairs.

For larger jobs, you may want to speak to a landscaper to weigh your best options.

Once that’s done, the next step is to add your favorite brick, stone, or wood around the steps. The sooner you start planting the better as it will help prevent your soil from eroding.

Vegetables are a great option to prevent erosion and improve drainage. However, when it comes to protecting your soil with plants, you have to be careful. Only plants with deep roots or rhizomes can keep the terraces stable as their root systems interlock underground.

Steep slopes

Terracing sloping gardens requires a little more work than just moving soil around the garden. Although terracing your garden is still a great way to fix your slope, it requires more attention and reinforcement.

It’s important to be quick when leveling a steep slope to avoid damaging your home’s foundation. When tackling the incline alone, it’s important that you find the root of the problem. Choosing the right and appropriate measures is also very important.

Materials that can be used to level a sloping garden include:

Stone Retaining Walls – The use of preformed concrete blocks, concrete blocks, house bricks or stones. All very reliable for terracing and leveling. The only downside is that they are quite expensive.

– The use of pre-formed concrete blocks, lightweight blocks, house bricks or stones. All very reliable for terracing and leveling. The only downside is that they are quite expensive. Reclaimed Railroad Ties – If you’re looking for a cheap option, you’ve come to the right place. They are built to last because of the tar used to treat them. This is also their downside as they are very sticky when touched or seated. An option for you would be to use them in the lower part of your structure and round them off with non-sticky blocks.

– If you are looking for a cheap option, you have come to the right place. They are built to last because of the tar used to treat them. This is also their downside as they are very sticky when touched or seated. An option for you would be to use them in the lower part of your structure and round them off with non-sticky blocks. New sleepers – They are cleaner but slightly more expensive than refurbished sleepers. They need to be treated over the years to keep them from rotting.

– They are cleaner but slightly more expensive than refurbished railroad ties. They need to be treated over the years to keep them from rotting. Gabion Cages – Made from strong wire mesh, they are inexpensive, sturdy and tidy. Filled with your choice of stones or rubble, gabions are becoming increasingly popular for the construction of retaining walls.

retaining wall

An alternative to terracing is to build a retaining wall around the garden. It’s a great option if you don’t have a lot of space or don’t want to go through the longer terracing process.

You’ll need to save some filler soil to cover the area between your garden’s natural level and your new retaining wall. We recommend that your retaining wall should be no taller than 2 feet. This is because they absorb a lot of pressure from the weight of the soil and rainwater.

If you want to make it a little taller, just make sure your retaining wall leans back slightly into the ground for support.

You also need to use sturdy materials to build your wall. The materials listed above are ideal as they guarantee strength and reliability.

How much does a garden leveling cost?

There is no fixed price as prices depend on a number of factors such as:

The size of your garden

The level of work to be done

The type and size of materials you intend to use

Landscape gardener’s rate

Expertise and efficiency of the landscape gardener

Here are some average landscaping costs (UK) to help you with your decision:

Sub-Irrigation – £8-10 per hour

£8-10 per hour artificial grass – £14 per square meter (including delivery, preparation and installation costs)

£14 per square meter (including delivery, preparation and installation costs) New plants – £30-40 per square meter

– £30-40 per square meter setts – £70-80 per square meter

– £70-80 per square meter Architectural design and planning – from £250 depending on the size of the project.

These prices are all estimated quotes from online sources. To get an accurate price, you should contact your local landscaper to assess the scope of the project.

Professional costs to level a garden with steep slopes can range from £500 to £1000 depending on all the factors listed above. Moderate climbs can cost in the region of £350-600.

Take these prices with caution as they are estimates. We just want to give you a rough idea of ​​what to expect.

If you’re up for a DIY challenge, you may need to rent a grader and lawn trimmer if you don’t already own them. They can pay you back £500. You will also need a spirit level, shovel and stakes, which you can get for around £10.

If you do it yourself, you should allow 5 days for the work. You should be honest with yourself and make sure you are capable of getting the job done.

Remember, if you don’t get it right the first time, it can turn into a very expensive project!

Get in touch

If you’re interested in learning more about garden leveling or want to transform your garden, we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email us at [email protected] or call us on 01236 727 776.

One of the most refreshing warm-weather activities is swimming in a pool. While many homeowners may be willing to learn how to install an above ground pool in their own backyard, there are a few things to consider. The first is to level the bottom of their pool of choice to ensure a safe and reliable swimming experience.

Would you like to build a pool? You may need to re-tilt your lawn and a professional can help. Receive free, no-obligation estimates from experts in your area. Find a Pro+

Time required: A few hours to days, depending on the size of the area

Difficulty level: beginner to advanced

Estimated Cost: Varies based on tool purchased

Before you start…

Read the pool manufacturer’s instructions and follow their recommendations to learn the best way to install the above ground pool. Be aware that the grass beneath the above ground pool and surrounding areas may be damaged by possible spills of chlorine water. It may seem easier to place an above ground pool on a balcony or patio; However, this is dangerous as the surface could collapse under the weight of the water. If you have a lot of floor to move or don’t have the necessary equipment, consider hiring a professional to do the physically demanding work.

Tips for leveling the floor for a pool

Level the ground on a firm surface in the garden that is free of mud, sand or loose soil.

Choose the shallowest area in the garden so you can level the ground more easily.

Avoid areas in the garden with large trees as the leaves could clog the pool.

safety aspects

Make sure the area is at least 6 feet away from electrical outlets or large obstructions.

Avoid leveling the floor for a pool near drains, power lines, or cables.

Would you like to build a pool? You may need to re-tilt your lawn and a professional can help. Receive free, no-obligation estimates from experts in your area. Find a Pro+

STEP 1: Determine your location and remove any large rocks or debris.

Choose the shallowest area in the yard away from large trees, electrical outlets, power lines, drains, or cables. Make sure the bottom is tightly filled with soil tough enough for your above ground pool of choice. Next, use a rake to remove any large debris or rocks from the area that could damage the pool. Then use a shovel, tarp, or lawn trimmer to remove grass and other vegetation in the area. Use a wheelbarrow to remove debris from the site.

STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top.

Place 2×4 boards from the center of the pool area to the outer edge, using as many boards as needed to reach the edge. Place a level on each 2×4. Use the levels as a guide to where each part of the site is not level. Use stakes to mark these spots before you start digging.

Don’t try to observe the height of the floor. A deviation of even an inch or two could have serious consequences for the above ground pool. There is also an option to use pegs and string and place the spirit level on the string to ensure the ground is level. Place a stake in the center of the lot and one on the outer edge, then tie twine between the stakes.

STEP 3: Add or remove soil until soil is level.

After it’s clear where the ground is uneven, it’s time to use a shovel to level the ground. This part is tedious as the soil has to be removed or added by the spoonful. First find the deepest part of the site. At this depth, the rest of the ground must be leveled to meet.

Adding a large amount of soil to lower-lying areas is not recommended, as the above-ground basin flattens the soil and may create an uneven surface. If the site will be backfilled with sand, a good rule of thumb is to dig the pool area at least 2 inches into the ground.

Would you like to build a pool? You may need to re-tilt your lawn and a professional can help. Receive free, no-obligation estimates from experts in your area. Find a Pro+

STEP 4: Repeat the process until the entire area is flat.

Continue removing soil until the entire area is level. It is more effective to remove dirt from the raised areas than to add new dirt to the lower areas. Keep moving the 2x4s to ensure all areas of the pool area are level. If the area is in the shape of a circle, use a 2×4 to rotate it 360 degrees from the center to the outer edge. The ground is taken into account even if the level remains constant throughout the rotation.

STEP 5: Rake up any remaining stones or debris and tamp down the soil.

When the ground is leveled, go through the area again with the rake or lawn roller to clear any rocks or debris that appeared during the leveling. After the area is free of debris, use a hose to dampen the soil. This takes about an hour of low-pressure irrigation. Once the area is damp, use a hand tamper or roller tamper to compact the surface.

After compacting, it is possible to completely smooth the surface with sand. However, it is important to read the above ground pool instructions before taking this step.

Would you like to build a pool? You may need to re-tilt your lawn and a professional can help. Receive free, no-obligation estimates from experts in your area. Find a Pro+

After the ground is leveled, it’s time to learn how to install the above ground pool. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to correctly install the pool or contact a pool professional for assistance. You can inspect the soil to make sure it isn’t causing problems for the pool liner. Contact a landscaping company to spray the area with herbicides or fungicides to keep growth around the pool to a minimum. If the pool area is still uneven, a professional can assess any damage and work to level the floor for a pool.

Leveling the ground for an above ground pool can be a daunting task, so it is advisable to have a professional check that the pool area is level before installing your pool. This ensures that the water level in the pool is even and cannot damage the pool walls or liner.

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If you are concerned about safety or your ability to successfully level the bottom for your pool, it is always best to hire a professional.

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<\/p><\/div>“} 1 Stake out your area to level it. This area doesn’t have to be perfectly square or rectangular unless you plan to use lawn rather than simply re-grass your grass Place wooden or plastic stakes around the area to be leveled.

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<\/p><\/div>“} 2 Use a spirit level. Attach strings to stretch between the stakes a few inches off the ground. Attach a spirit level to the strings to determine the highest point This is usually your starting point and the rest of the soil will be brought here, but you can also lower some soil if that makes more sense for your project

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<\/p><\/div>“} 3 Adjust the strings. Using a tape measure and your spirit level, adjust the strings until you can see how much height is added or taken away over the area you are adjusting must become.

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<\/p><\/div>“} 4 Adjust the slope. Keep in mind that you may want to adjust the slope of your land to combat drainage issues. Your land should be 1 inch per 4 feet (1.20 m) being away from home.

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