David Johansen wrote:
On Sep 24, 8:36 am, brooklyn1 wrote:
On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:18:44 -0700 (PDT), David Johansen





wrote:
On Sep 23, 3:14 pm, brooklyn1 wrote:
On Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:17:10 -0700 (PDT), David Johansen

wrote:
On Sep 22, 6:38 pm, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
David Johansen wrote:
This summer we laid sod in our backyard and we
prepped/flattened the sod underneath, but we were in a rush to
try and finish some things up before it started raining and I
guess we walked on it too much before it all settled because
now the ground is fairly uneven and not as flat/ level as I
would like.

Is there a way to level the ground under the grass now that it's
established?

Thanks,
Dave

I assume you mean you want to smooth the surface making it even,
not make it level. Leveling (ie making horizontal) is hardly
practical after you have laid sod.

You could top dress it. Using a friable loam, rake and drag it
over the grass, cover thinly overall with almost none on the
high spots but filling up the hollows and cracks. A heavy log of
wood pulled by a loop of rope will give you a smooth surface and
in time muscles too! The grass will grow through the dressing
and form a smooth mat. This is best done during the growing
season otherwise you can get erosion down the hollows before the
grass grows.

David

You're right and I probably did use the wrong term. I am
interested in making the ground "even" (no hills or valleys), and
hopefully with all of the tips I've gotten so far that will work.

Thanks,
Dave

It would help to advise knowing the size of the area.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

It's a little bigger than 15 feet by 25 feet.
Dave

It's small enough that you can even your lawn yourself with a hand
pushed roller... you can probably rent one but I think it's best to
have your own as you will likely need to roll your lawn a few times
each year: http://tinyurl.com/ycrrapq

http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Fab-18-In...5-0267/dp/B000...

So would I just soak the ground to soften it up and then roll it? Or
is there anything special I need to do first?
Thanks,
Dave


commence rant
Of course. Then you will find it too compacted. So you need to buy a
aerator and drill it. But then it will grow too slow so you will have to
feed it with lots of nitrogenous fertiliser. But then there will be a risk
of burning so you will have to water it. If it is hot you will need much
water to keep it green and an automated sprinkler system would give you a
source of great pride.. But then it will grow too fast so you have to cut
it, a dandy mower will look good, perhaps a ride-on would do the job in a
minute or two. But then it will be too uneven so you will have to roll it
again....... there's a hole in the bucket dear Liza, dear Liza a hole.
end rant

You can spend as much as you like on equipment and consumables and use up
large amounts of resources. Do you really need to? Why exactly are you
doing all this?

If you need a playing surface, generally for sport or small children, my
apologies as you don't have much choice. But there are less intensive uses
of the land that still look good, some can even be used for something other
than looking at.

David