The Best Way to Level a Yard Without a Bobcat

Cut It Out

• If your entire lawn has peaks and valleys, level it by first removing the sod. Cut the sod from the lawn, roll it up and store it in the shade. Sod can be cut in squares, but lifting and stacking them is heavy work. Rent a sod cutter to make removing sod less labor intensive.

Low-Tech Hand Leveling

• After removing the sod, use a shovel to take off high spots. Place the extra soil in low areas to bring them up to grade. If you need more soil, purchase topsoil. Use a soil that is similar to your existing soil texture. You do not want to change the structure of the soil to the point that it is not suited for your existing sod. For instance, do not use a lot of sand unless your soil is naturally sandy. Rake the soil until it is level. Be careful not to dig too deeply and mix the dense subsoil with the topsoil. Subsoil does not drain well or allow air to circulate. Reinstall the sod and water thoroughly.

Power Leveling

• If you know the depth of your topsoil, you can use a rototiller to break up the soil instead of a shovel. Set the tiller at a depth where it will not dig into the subsoil and mix it with the topsoil. Add soil amendments, if desired, and till into the topsoil. Level the tilled soil with a hand rake or box blade behind a garden tractor. Reinstall the sod by rolling it back into place and water thoroughly. Sod should be reinstalled the same day to prevent it from drying out.

Spot Leveling

• For a sod or grassed lawn with just a few high or low spots, cut out only the area you want to level by pressing a spade into the ground to outline the section to be removed. Dig down about 4 inches, slide the spade under the section and lift it out. Remove enough soil to level the mound. For depressions, add topsoil to level the hole. Return the removed grass, press it into place and water thoroughly. Add a light application of fertilizer to help the roots re-establish quicker.