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Levelling hollows in new turf lawn

benchambers2511benchambers2511 Posts: 12
in Problem solving
Hi,

I recently laid some new turf that I acquired from a friend who had some left overs. I then manage to acquire some left overs of a different type of turf from someone else to complete my small lawn.

I spent some time digging over and levelling the sub soil, I then laid a layer of top soil before laying the turf. 

It's been about 1 month now and the turf has taken. I cut the grass 1 week ago on the highest setting with my electric cylinder mower. Unfortunately, I think the cylinder mower is the wrong type of mower for a first, long, cut. In addition, I don't think I levelled the sub soil as well as I could have. Consequently, when I mowed last week, I scalped the low hollow parts of the lawn where, I think, I didn't level properly.

My idea to level out the lawn is to build up the low spots with a combination of top soil, compost and sharp sand and then seed. My issue is, to do this I think I'll need to cut the grass short, but fear I'll scalp it even more doing this.

Has anyone got any suggestions on how I can level my lawn? Is my idea the correct way to go about it?

Thanks,

Ben 

Posts

  • caradoc46caradoc46 Posts: 10
    Ben, I have exactly the same problem and it is making me feel forlorn (excuse the awful pun). I wait with great anticipation for someone to respond to you. 

    Paul. 
  • benchambers2511benchambers2511 Posts: 12
    Paul, I used a strimmer not long after I posted my original post and that worked quite well, but took a lot of care and time. 

    I plan to build up the hollows with sand, compost and top soil mix. Slowly, using small amounts at a time, after every time I mow. 

    Here's hoping. 
  • gunndabadgunndabad Posts: 35
    Top dressing with sand is best for levelling but it will take multiple applications to make much difference. You cannot put too much on at once as smothering the grass will kill it.  Compost not great as it will break down and leave uneven bits again. 
  • benchambers2511benchambers2511 Posts: 12
    gunndabad said:
    Top dressing with sand is best for levelling but it will take multiple applications to make much difference. You cannot put too much on at once as smothering the grass will kill it.  Compost not great as it will break down and leave uneven bits again. 
    Thanks for the advice. Reaffirms my long term plan to build up low parts, gradually. I might invest in a sieve of some description in order to refine the soil / compost. 
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    You can also cut an X in that spot, pull the sod back, and under fill with soil.  


    I tried it once, and it worked fine.. but I'm too lazy to make the effort in other places of my lawn and have just done the above mentioned method.   B)
    Utah, USA.
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    Blue Onion said:
    You can also cut an X in that spot, pull the sod back, and under fill with soil.  


    This is the best way for an instant invisible fix. 
  • benchambers2511benchambers2511 Posts: 12
    Blue Onion said:
    You can also cut an X in that spot, pull the sod back, and under fill with soil.  


    I tried it once, and it worked fine.. but I'm too lazy to make the effort in other places of my lawn and have just done the above mentioned method.   B)
    I read about doing a H cut on gardeners world web site, which is essentially the same thing.

    As I've only recently laid the turf (5 weeks ago), should I wait a bit for better root formation? And do I need a sharp spade for this?

    Thanks,
    Ben 
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