How to Level Out Low Areas in a Backyard

Over time, erosion and soil settling can create low areas in your yard. These depressions typically fill with water and become muddy patches where grass does not grow. In addition, they are unattractive and can be tripping hazards. Leveling out these low areas involves filing them in until they are level with the surrounding soil surface. Completing the process slowly is the key to maintaining grass growth.

Wheelbarrow
Topsoil
Play sand
Shovel
Broom
Grass seed (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a wheelbarrow with one bag of topsoil and one bag of play sand, both of which are available at home improvement stores. Make sure that the bags are the same size so that you create 50-50 mixture. Mix the materials up thoroughly with a shovel.
- 2
  Push the wheelbarrow to one of the low areas of the backyard and fill it with 1/2 inch of the mixture. Smooth the top of the sand mixture so that it is even but do not pack it down. If there is grass in the depression, the blade tips should extend above the patching mixture.
- 3
  Sweep the mixture off the grass blades and across the filled-in area to help the dirt settle.
- 4
  Wait one week and repeat the process, adding an additional 1/2 inch of the soil mixture to the areas. Make sure the top is smooth and that the grass blades are not completely covered. Repeat the application every week with an additional 1/2 inch of soil until the low areas are the same level as the remainder of the backyard.

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