How to Flatten Out a Sloped Backyard

A sloped backyard can complicate your landscaping plans, create soil erosion and lead to flooding issues, but flattening the yard must be done correctly to address these problems. Depending on the extent of the slope, a perfectly flat yard may prove difficult to achieve. The task involves not only redistributing the soil, but paying special attention to the separation of topsoil from subsoil. Land with steep or long hills will benefit most from a terracing plan, which allows you to create level areas without moving extreme amounts of dirt. Even an average-size yard could demand significant labor when your goal is to flatten a slope.

Shovel
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all the topsoil from the slope and the dips of the area that you intend to level. Topsoil usually incorporates the upper-most 8 inches of soil, and is often a darker color than the subsoil below. Place the topsoil aside in its own pile. If the slope needs to be lowered further, begin removing the subsoil and placing it in a separate pile from the topsoil.
- 2
  Distribute the subsoil evenly across the yard until the soil is level. Use a shovel and a rake to make the surface even. In large backyards, a bulldozer or other heavy equipment may be necessary, along with some professional assistance. Where excess soil is creating drainage and flooding problems, consider having some of the soil carried away in trucks.
- 3
  Move the topsoil from its pile, and distribute it across the yard to make an even surface. You probably do not want to make your yard perfectly flat, as a slight slope ensures effective drainage conditions. Ideally, the slope should move downward away from your house at a rate of 1 foot of decline per 50 feet of soil.

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