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

On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:22:26 -0700 (PDT), David Johansen
wrote:

This summer we laid sod in our backyard and we prepped/flattened the
sod underneath,

Not sure what you mean by "sod underneath", did you really lay new sod
over old sod? I'd like to hear you laid new sod atop freshly prepared
earth.

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?



You don't want to level the grass, you want to level the ground the
sod/grass is set on. One of the best ways (and should have been done
prior to laying new sod) is by running a roller back and forth and
crosswise. You can still roll the area to help level the ground, just
don't use too much weight lest you damage your new sod... fill the
roller only about 1/3 with water. You don't say how much area but it
would be best to use a a push roller, but if your area is large you
may need to tow the roller, than use the lightest weght tractor with
the widest wheels. In any case you'd do best to apply light pressure
and repeat the process like every two days rather than attempt to roll
it smooth all in one go. With sod lawns you would do well to roll
twice every year (spring and fall). I always suggest a seeded lawn,
seeded lawns are far healthier and more enduring, sod never actually
roots into the ground... sod is more like a hair piece than you may
think.

Janet Baraclough wrote:

You can make a cross-shaped slit in the turf, peel it back, either
excavate or add some soil (to lower or raise the level) and put the
flaps back down on top.
For hollows, it's much easier just to gradually add fine soil on top
and let the grass grow through it.

I had the same problem. What I did was to fill up the holes by
spreading (raking) loose top soil over the affected areas and reseeded
where it was needed.

On Sep 22, 11:43*am, brooklyn1 wrote:
On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:22:26 -0700 (PDT), David Johansen

wrote:
This summer we laid sod in our backyard and we prepped/flattened the
sod underneath,

Not sure what you mean by "sod underneath", did you really lay new sod
over old sod? *I'd like to hear you laid new sod atop freshly prepared
earth.

Sorry that was a typo. I meant "ground/dirt underneath" and not sod.

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?

You don't want to level the grass, you want to level the ground the
sod/grass is set on. *One of the best ways (and should have been done
prior to laying new sod) is by running a roller back and forth and
crosswise. *You can still roll the area to help level the ground, just
don't use too much weight lest you damage your new sod... fill the
roller only about 1/3 with water. *You don't say how much area but it
would be best to use a a push roller, but if your area is large you
may need to tow the roller, than use the lightest weght tractor with
the widest wheels. *In any case you'd do best to apply light pressure
and repeat the process like every two days rather than attempt to roll
it smooth all in one go. *With sod lawns you would do well to roll
twice every year (spring and fall). *I always suggest a seeded lawn,
seeded lawns are far healthier and more enduring, sod never actually
roots into the ground... sod is more like a hair piece than you may
think.

I'll give that a try and I'll try the recommendations from some of the
other responses as well.

Thanks to everyone,
Dave

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

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

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.

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

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...3805956&sr=8-1

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

On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:40:49 -0700 (PDT), 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

There's much you can do, wetting to soften the ground will help a lot,
but you can also aerate and add a dressing of rich top soil. Much
depends on how flat you want your patch of lawn and how much effort
you're willing to expend. I wouldn't try to make it flat all in one
fell swoop... instead periodically roll your lawn, especially after a
rain... yiou don't wasnt to walk on your lawn right after a rain
either, let it dry a bit so you don't make muddy ruts. Such a small
patch of ground shouldn't require more than 15 minutes to roll, so do
it often.

On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:22:26 -0700 (PDT), 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


Sure. I have two methods for filling in a caved-in area.

1. Sift 1/2" of topsoil over the area and allow that to settle in,
perhaps a month or two. Repeat until the area is level.

2. Using a flat bladed shovel cut an "H" into the sod. Carefully cut
underneath each flap, fold back the two flaps, add topsoil, and press
the flaps back into place. Water. Water the area again the next day.
This method works well for smaller areas.

Stay off the grass when it is wet.

On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:40:49 -0700 (PDT), 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

Rolling compacts the soil. So you solve one problem for another.

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

On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:46:14 -0400, Phisherman
wrote:

On Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:40:49 -0700 (PDT), 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

Rolling compacts the soil. So you solve one problem for another.

One would thinks so but rolling does not compact soil, in fact it does
just the opposite, in flattening the ground rolling redistributes soil
particles making soil more porous thereby increasing its volume To a
degree rolling aerates (however not in a good way). To compact a
vibratory machine is used, which forces particles to interlock in such
a way that makes the soil more dense and lessens its volume. When
rolling lawns one needs to be careful not to roll with too much
weight and make too many passes or the soil will become so fluffy that
it breaks contact with the grass roots. Same when one mows close
around trees, it's best to use a push mower rather than a heavy garden
tractor. Landscapers and grounds keepers use rollers all the time, in
fact when mowing athletic fields/golf courses the anti scalping
rollers are adjusted to apply enough pressure to flatten the ruts made
by mower tires.

Road builders use rollers to compact, but they are very heavy (tons)
and they vibrate... they're used to compact the roadway sub base of
crushed stone and the blacktop, not garden soil. Vibrators won't
compact good organic garden soil... if your soil compacts from rolling
then it's very poor quality soil for growing a lawn (or anything) and
needs substantial ammending.... like how experienced farmers can judge
soil quality by grabbing a fistful and and applying pressure, if it
all clumps together it's not good farmland... good arable farmland
won't compact.