If you take pride in your outdoor space, having a bumpy and uneven lawn can be a bit of an eyesore. Not only that, if you have little ones running around, or feel a bit unsteady on your feet, having a bumpy lawn can be a bit of a trip hazard as well! 

If your lawn needs a bit of TLC and levelling out, here are some reasons as to why your lawn might be bumpy to begin with, and suggestions on how to level a bumpy lawn.

How to Level a Bumpy Lawn

Topdressing is the easiest way to level a bumpy lawn if the issues are mild. Using a push broom, or garden rake, even out the soil into the grass where needed, fill in any air pockets, and water well to ensure it reaches the grass roots. Monitor the areas to see if it has levelled out once the grass has recovered - you could even add grass seed as well.

Why is my Lawn Bumpy?

Lawns can be bumpy for any number of reasons, and learning what these reasons might be is key to removing the issue altogether. Whatever the underlying problem might be, it’s important to identify it early on, so that the appropriate steps can be taken to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Drainage

Problems with draining and water damage can often be the cause of having a bumpy lawn or visible dips in your grass. Whether there are broken water pipes buried beneath the surface that are causing draining issues or not, something like this could be playing a huge factor as to why your lawn isn’t looking quite as you’d have hoped. 

Sprinkler Systems

Water sprinkler systems have also been known to play a part in making people’s lawns look bumpy and uneven, as overly wet soil can add pressure to the lawn which creates depressions. Ensuring that your lawn sprinklers are working as they’re meant to, with nozzles unclogged and sprinkler heights being set to the appropriate level for your lawn, is an essential step towards minimising the damaging effects on your garden. 

Climate

Unfortunately, one thing that’s difficult to avoid when it comes to your lawn is the result of the climate year in and year out. No matter where your garden might be, it’s tricky to avoid the constant freeze in Winter and thaw in Spring your grass will go through as the seasons change. Where the lawn hardens in Winter and softens in Spring, the bumps and dips in your lawn can have a tendency to be accentuated which leaves the appearance of a rippled effect. 

Animals and insects

Another area that is rather difficult to control is when animals or insects decide to make your lawn their new home! Or, if you have a dog, then they might also contribute to some of the bumps and lumps in your lawn as well.

Heavy traffic

Heavy traffic areas might also cause your lawn to dip. You can mitigate this by creating pathways to stop heavy footfall on your garden or use plants to bushes as a natural 'fence' to stop people walking on areas you would rather be left alone!

 

Levelling A Bumpy Garden: Tips and Tricks

Levelling Out A Mildly Irregular Lawn

Topdressing is definitely your best bet when it comes to fixing minor imperfections in your lawn, and keeping it healthy. Topdressing is very similar to topsoil, in the fact that both are essential for a healthy garden. However, top dressing is better used as a thin layer on top of your existing grass after your garden has already been established, you don't want to cover the grass blades as this can suffocate the grass. Topsoil, like our topsoil supreme or our organic garden topsoil, is best used to help establish your lawn. Use topsoil to create an area that helps to encourage plant growth in your garden. When it comes to filling in small animal-made holes, we recommend using topdressing soil mix of topsoil and sand for a quick and easy repair.  

Levelling out a moderately irregular Lawn 

If your grass has a number of deep dips and holes in it, then you might be looking for a more serious solution to your problem. For a lawn such as this, top dressing is certainly not going to be your best option. This is because top dressing takes a long time to work, as you'll have to dig slowly and carefully to get the result you're after. Instead, we recommend you remove the turf/surface of the mound and fill it in with a new soil mixture or remove excess soil, before putting the removed top back on. This way, you allow your lawn time to fix itself, and you don’t have to keep interfering with the process too much. You can also add some grass seeds here if you have some patchy areas of turf.

Levelling out a severely irregular Lawn

You'll probably need to take more drastic measures if you have a severely uneven or sloping lawn. Unfortunately, topdressing won't be the answer to your problems, as you'll probably need a much stronger solution. We recommend a drastic approach, to say the least; disregard the area and lay down an entirely new lawn. Improving your lawn can sometimes seem like a huge task to undertake, but sometimes starting from scratch and with an open mind can be the best route to take. It’s also key to remember that a good gardener is nothing without their tools, and great high-quality tools are essential for a project such as this.

 

How To Level A Bumpy Lawn Conclusion

Combining lawn dressing and topsoil in your garden treatment will help you create a beautiful green sanctuary, but make sure you utilise each one correctly to help you create the beautiful level lawn you've been looking for. There are lots of different ways to help restore your lawn to its former glory, so try various products in moderation and take note of the results. 

If you have any questions about improving the level of quality of your lawn or any of our other products or services for that matter, we'd be pleased to assist you in any way we can.