.png)
Gather your gear. You’ll need a flat shovel, a garden rake, a wheelbarrow, and a lawn roller (or an empty one you can fill with water). Oh, and a level? Nope. Don’t bother. Just your eyeballs and a long, straight 2x4 board.
The secret weapon is topsoil—specifically a sandy loam mix, not pure clay. Clay is like concrete when it dries, and your grass will hate you for it. Also, grab some grass seed that matches your lawn, or you’ll end up with a patchwork quilt of weird green textures. Don’t be that patchwork person.
Step 1: The “Walk & Identify” Game
Put on your detective hat. Walk across your lawn after a rainstorm or right after a deep watering. Look for puddles—those are the dips. Then, feel for humps with your feet. Mark them with a garden flag or a rock you’ll trip over later.
Pro tip: do this barefoot. You’ll feel every bump and divot like a massage therapist’s worst nightmare. Your feet never lie.
Step 2: The Big Smooth—For Humps
Got a small hill? Don’t panic. Use your flat shovel to cut the grass in a neat “H” shape, like you’re opening a turf present. Peel the sod back carefully, as if it’s a treasured rug. Undercut the turf so it stays thick and alive.
Remove or scoop out the excess soil underneath. You want the spot to be level with the surrounding area, not lower. Then, roll the sod back into place, like tucking a blanket. Water it well, and boom—instant flatness.
Pictures Of Grass When To Mow And Fertilise A New Lawn
If you hate peeling sod, no problem. For shallow humps, you can just drag a heavy lawn roller over them after a rain. The weight will push them down over a couple of weeks. It’s like ironing your lawn, but with more dirt.
Step 3: The Big Fill—For Dips
Dips are the lazy cousin of humps. You just fill them in. But don’t dump a giant pile of soil on the dip—that’s “drowning the depression,” and it looks terrible. Instead, use a topdressing method.
Mix your sandy topsoil with a tiny bit of compost. Spread a thin layer (no thicker than half an inch) over the dip. Use your rake to smooth it out, then drag the back of the rake over it to level. Water it in. Your grass will poke right through, like a magic carpet.
Repeat this process every week or two until the dip is gone. Seriously. Don’t dump it all at once. If you do, the grass underneath will suffocate and turn into a brown, crispy crypt. Patience is the secret ingredient here, not speed.
