Getting Bumps And Ruts Out Of An Existing Lawn

[Mike K2]

Greetings.

I have an existing lawn that has a lot of molehills and small ruts from heavy rains. I would really like to smooth it up but I don't want to destroy the grass that is already there. I have access to as much topsoil as I want for filling ruts but I don't know how to spread it around without tearing up the existing grass. Is there a way to do it?

Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

Mow the yard very short.

Spread top soil with a tined de-thatcher or a Pine Straw Rake.

3-POINT DETHATCHER | Equipment Attachments | United States | CMP Attachments, LLC

Pine Straw Rakes | Pine Needle Rakes

 

[dalola]

Core aeration is also very beneficial, for both the grass, and the surface.

 

[Avenger]

This one is a bit tricky. You can get a bit more aggressive than the pine straw rake. Try a harrow drag
ATV 4 ft. x 4 ft. Chain Harrow with 4 ft. Drawbar at Tractor Supply Co.

You can hook it up behind a lawn mower or ATV, so making more ruts or tearing something up wont be a huge deal.

If you need more than that, you will likely tear up more, but you will smooth it out, look at a tooth harrow
12' Spike Harrow 3-Point | Agri Supply 33764

Something like that.

So long as you don't rip up the rhizomes too bad, you should be fine.
Cut the lawn short before you start, and the aeration it will get will be very beneficial.

 

[Egon]

Spread your dirt and go over the area using a wood baulk pulled at an angle. Do it from different directions. Cheap and should not damage the lawn.

 

[npalen]

What is the point of "mowing the yard very short" prior to raking or dragging? Just asking.

 

[Avenger]

What is the point of "mowing the yard very short" prior to raking or dragging? Just asking.

Several reasons. It allows the dirt to pass through better. Less grass to pull through. Less 'lay down' from tires. Can see the ground better. Removes the mat better.

I'm not talking about scalping the grass, or making it "golf course green short." But if it needs mowed, mow it down another notch before starting. Dont let it grow up and then attempt to do this. Just way too much material.

 

[shooterdon]

Buying something for a one time use can get expensive. And then you need to store the darn thing or sell it.

I would make something that I could attach to the 3PH so I am not having to drag it over the drive and/or walkways.

I have a light duty landscape rack and would try it with a chain at the top link to give some float and angle it to help fill ruts.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have all kinds of stuff. Even a harley rake and top dresser. Yet, I don't even know how best to get the irregularities out of a lawn. That is, without tearing up the whole thing and starting over. In the end, it's just boots on the ground with a hand rake.

 

[npalen]

I would think that even an ordinary 3PH blade, with the blade reversed, might do a good job of leveling an established lawn. Angling the blade at least a little (with it reversed) might also help fill the low spots.