To level a lawn with a rake, the primary method involves applying a suitable topdressing mixture and then using the rake, often a specialized leveling rake, to spread and smooth the mixture across the lawn surface, particularly focusing on low spots. A key technique highlighted in practice involves using the rake in specific motions to evenly distribute the material and achieve a flat surface.
Steps for Leveling Your Lawn
Leveling a lawn is a process that fills in depressions and smooths out bumps, leading to a more even surface that can recover faster. Here’s how it's typically done using a rake:
1. Prepare the Lawn
Begin by mowing your lawn slightly shorter than usual. This makes it easier to see the uneven areas and allows the leveling mix to reach the soil surface. Remove any debris, such as leaves or sticks.
2. Prepare or Acquire Leveling Mix
A common leveling mix consists of sand, topsoil, and compost. A typical ratio might be 40% sand, 40% topsoil, and 20% compost, but variations exist depending on your soil type. The mix should be relatively dry to spread easily.
3. Apply the Leveling Mix
Shovel or spread piles of the leveling mix over the low spots and uneven areas of your lawn. Avoid applying an excessively thick layer in one go, as this can suffocate the grass. Aim for no more than about half an inch initially in any single area.
4. Distribute and Level with the Rake
This is where the rake comes into play. Use the back or flat side of a landscaping rake or a dedicated lawn leveling rake to spread the piles of mix evenly across the surface.
- Push and pull the rake across the applied mix to work it down into the grass canopy and fill the low areas.
- As referenced in leveling techniques, go side to side with the rake as well. This specific side-to-side motion, in addition to back-and-forth movements, helps to effectively spread the mixture thinly and evenly over the existing grass blades and into depressions. Be careful when using vigorous side-to-side motions near delicate edges or obstacles.
- Continue working the mix until the surface appears smooth and the grass blades are still visible poking through the mixture. The goal is to fill the low spots without burying the existing grass.
5. Water the Area
After the mix is spread, lightly water the lawn. This helps the leveling mix settle into the turf and around the grass roots. Avoid overwatering, which could wash the mix away.
6. Allow Grass to Recover
The grass will grow up through the leveling mix. This process helps the lawn recover faster and adapt to the new, level surface. You may need to repeat the leveling process in areas that require more material or settle unevenly after the initial application.
Using a rake effectively allows you to control the distribution of the leveling mix, smoothing the surface and promoting healthy, even growth.
