3.5 Tonnes Topsoil, Lawn levelling And Full Lawn Renovation

[@cherylmart6338]

I very much like your work ethic. You take pride in your work. You are very thorough and you work with attention to detail. My kind of gardener. Great job !

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Cheryl! 😊😊

[@traceywoodall6937]

I’ve watched so many of your videos now and been mesmerised. My only bug bear is I would love to see you return a few weeks later to show us the results, would be good to add them on to end of your videos. Can’t praise you highly enough for your expertise 👍

[@LawnRight]

Thanks yeah I know.. Wish I could add it on after it's been uploaded.. arghhh

[@will-gl8bg]

Hi, I see that you use the scarifier back and forth. Does this not damage the blade/ tines as they only rotate in one direction ? I never pull the scarifier backwards thinking I'll damage the spring tines.

[@josephmiddleton4331]

Geez, Chris did all the work there!

[@LawnRight]

🤣🤣 hes a good lad

[@thesugarlipslove]

excellent job. love to see this in a months time.

[@LawnRight]

Thank you very much! Hpe to get some follow on footage soon

[@stevenbaldwin7241]

Just watched this video brilliant do you have after footage 😀👍👍

[@simonbaxter5187]

Hi mate. What would this cost if I had you come do the same on mine?

[@paddyschannel217]

Great video, clear, concise and to the point ….. cheers Shaun.

[@LawnRight]

No problem 👍

[@grahammacklam4736]

Interesting reno there with a twist. The leveling methods I haven't seen before in any other video and so we're most useful to know. Yeah the weather was a bit bonkers this week in South Yorkshire, I bet this was Wednesday as I was walking back to my car after work in Sheffield, there was what I can only describe as a polystyrene blizzard! a cross between hail and snow 🌨️❄️😂

[@LawnRight]

Ha ha lol... yes it certainly was crazy! This was filmed in Epworth.

[@sandysanderson8588]

Well well well, a hell of a lot of walking about. Nice to get about in a big garden with a great view. Haha. looking great.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Sandy! :) Good exercise and the views make it all worthwhile

[@canalboating]

Another cracking video Shaun and Chris, a good days work indeed, hope you could call back in six weeks and show us how it's progressed

[@LawnRight]

Absolutely. :) Thanks again!

[@Littlelamb2023]

Bit of graft got into that lawn 💪🏽 Top job lads

[@LawnRight]

Cheers!

[@scottellwoodgardening287]

Just did a smallish lawn last week got 2 tonne bags full of moss from it. Amazing what comes out of them. Good job mate.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Scott. 2 tonne bags! 🥴

[@scottellwoodgardening287]

@@LawnRight 🙈

[@frankholehouse1393]

Brilliant video, I've just done a lawn and managed to remove 12 ton bags of mixed thatch and moss full days work .

[@LawnRight]

Well done Frank. That's some going!

[@dannyboy8067]

I need to do this, the previous owner used to drive down and turn their car around on the grass so I've pretty much got a roundabout to contend with!

[@LawnRight]

🥴😥😥

[@dannyboy8067]

@@LawnRight I know. Probably more like 10 tonnes to wheelbarrow!

[@LawnRight]

@@dannyboy8067 weekend job with some mates and a crate of beer then? 🤔😊

[@dannyboy8067]

@@LawnRight sounds like a plan mate, good shout

[@markhardacre1]

So much potential in that garden...

[@LawnRight]

yeah its a great size!

[@stianaslaksen5799]

Your videos are just great. Thanks.

[@LawnRight]

Glad you like them!

[@lukes3033]

Great video, especially the really detailed explanation of the levelling process. Did some levelling last year and it settled a lot so now I know the right way to do it! 👍

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Luke. Good luck with future lawn levelling projects :)

[@shaziachaudhry6240]

Amazing work Well done Love you video Have ordered a levelling lute and aspire one day to get that Bannerman top dresser, for my own garden, so I can top dress with compost a couple of times a year. Have 3/4 acre garden and that would be brilliant. Shame you don’t operate in Greater Manchester. Keep up the great work and keep the videos coming.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Shazia! Have you looked at the Landzie spreader? It's a fair but more affordable and seems pretty good.

[@paulfield2869]

@@LawnRight is this what you used before the Bannerman? How else would you recommend spreading the top dressing without disturbing the overseed (as that’s a big item to store for us home diyers) 😉

[@shaziachaudhry6240]

I dethatched my front lawn using the wolf gang dethatcher on wheels. Great piece of kit and great exercise. Took up about 6 wheel barrows. Plan for next year is to buy a mechanical dethatcher for the back garden

[@LawnRight]

Aah Ive not tried the wheeled version although I am keen to try it... I only have the non-wheeled version of the Wolf garten dethatcher and it can be tricky at times.. I reckon the wheeled version would be much easier. Well done on your work :)

[@Souto71]

Good job done there. Useful tips all along the video, keep it up.

[@LawnRight]

Cheers

[@stephenk4834]

Anotherrgood one Shaun. I had a go today. scarified aerated and overseed so hopefully waiting for a favourable outcome.

[@LawnRight]

Great stuff! Let me know how it turns out :)

[@stephenk4834]

Will do. Used your method.Thanks Shaun.@@LawnRight

[@LawnRight]

@@stephenk4834 😊😊😊

[@stephenk4834]

Shoud I water regularly?. Weather is cold today below 10 degrees I wait until above 10 degrees which seed needs to germinate. Thanks Shaun@@LawnRight

[@LawnRight]

@@stephenk4834 hi.. so.. needs can germinate at 7 degrees and there are some cold start seeds that germinate down to 5 degrees 😊. Yes definitely water 2 to 3 times a day regardless .. nice and light, the aim is to keep the seeds as damp as possible for the next 2 to 4 weeks

[@G.UK76]

Would be really good to know what you use for seed and fertiliser. Also, a bit of advice re maintenance for say the first couple of months. Finally, would love to see it at say the start of July if your customer was up for letting you do a few minutes of footage. Thanks for taking the time to film.

[@LawnRight]

HI Graham, its just a general mixed "amenity" seed from my local tool machinery shop who fix garden machinery. I honestly find its fine for most domestic lawns and gives good coverage. If mowed regularly theres no reason why it cant be lush. Im hoping to get follow up footage in time :) - The fertiliser is an unbranded chicken manure based fertilizer (20% organic) with a16-4-8 NPK value, from my commercial supplier

[@josephcoagrove580]

Excellent video and work done

[@LawnRight]

Thanks 😊

[@JayRockGroundsMaintenance]

Great video mate, and great process! Fair whack of work doing the full renovations, god send having a second man too😂. Keep up The good work mate, always interesting content 🙌🏽🌱☀️

[@LawnRight]

Thanks! Will do! Never gets any easier does it :)

[@JayRockGroundsMaintenance]

@@LawnRight I think people may underestimate how heavy thatch seems to get over a big garden 😂

[@matthewstover6789]

Beautiful job. I need that for my yard.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks! 😊

[@paulnelsonofleeds]

Really enjoyed the video Shaun. Very informative and I like the way you explain everything you do in an easy to understand way

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Paul. Really appreciate it 👍

[@snoopyn2009]

Great work !!!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

fair bit work in that one mate. all worth it in the end & better when you bring help in even if its just for the craic 👍👍

[@LawnRight]

Oh yes the Craic makes it worthwhile 😁

[@itguy108]

It was a big job for sure.

[@fisherrich100]

Brilliant video. Really helpful 👏

[@LawnRight]

Thanks!

[@chrisplumb6887]

Can you use peat free compost as a top dressing

[@LawnRight]

Hi yes you can 😊

[@josephmccole4132]

Wow! Great work.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks!

[@GUZGOG1]

Only one word BRILL

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Stan 😊👍

[@rogenastyles9625]

Me to. I wish I’d seen the video yesterday. I shall have to get it out again. 😂

[@LawnRight]

😊

[@rogenastyles9625]

I am doing mine at the moment but doing it myself. I don’t have a roller. What is the best way to do it myself. I’m so glad I saw this levelling process.

[@LawnRight]

Hi you can walk across the soil to firm it down in layers. This will work perfectly fine

[@rogenastyles9625]

@@LawnRight thank you. I have a lot of top soil dug out for my patio. Could I use this if I sieved it. The guy said it was very good soil. A small lawn but maybe not enough for all of it. So what soil do you recommend.

[@wolstenholmess8148]

This is almost spot on what we need to do with ours. Brilliant video with excellent timing! What watering regime for you advise the client of please? Also, what’s your take on adding building sand (not sharp or ballast) into the top soil for levelling to provide a firmer finish please?

[@LawnRight]

Hi thanks! Watering should be at least twice a day on a light mist. Ive never done much with sand to be honest as I always try to mimic what's already there so 99% usually soil so I'm probably not the best to advise sordy

[@danmcgeough962]

So helpful would like to know best time of year to be doing this work

[@LawnRight]

Spring or autumn usually the best times thanks

[@Tiriyas]

Good job

[@LawnRight]

Thank you!

[@Lewis-te6re]

Best vid yet! Can you recommend a good topsoil from places like B + Q etc that I can use with over seeding. Cheers

[@LawnRight]

Cheers! Any screened topsoil should be fine. If its compost I've used the b and q verve in purple bags

[@dagtailgroundmaintenance]

Does Daz n Shell have their own KZbin channel? 😀. Nice job mate and a great view. That was quite a mossy lawn. I'm between jobs so will watch more later 👍

[@LawnRight]

Hi mate. I dont think they do. Thanks for having a look. I'm on a rare day at home today!

[@dagtailgroundmaintenance]

Great levelling job. Good points about building up in layers. Did you just eye it up in regards to how much soil you needed from your experience?

[@LawnRight]

@@dagtailgroundmaintenance yes mate, eyed it up. Touch wood been pretty accurate so far, although I'm sure one day I'll underestimate 😁

[@listerthat]

Vacuum shredder not take the back break out of the grass clean up?

[@LawnRight]

Hi James we do use blowers as much as possible but in small gardens or on windy days it's not always practical. Sometimes it can be just as quick raking

[@leehagan563]

Excellent Video, what happens if the seed remains on top of the soil? will it still germinate?

[@LawnRight]

Hi seeds have to touch soil to germinate.. ideally the seeds should be snuggled within the top few cm. The only issue is if birds get to them

[@ianboswell4773]

Hi Shaun. Basically just like my garden. I was going to remove all the turf and start again. However this maybe alternative option. However , won't the old grass grow through again and look different to the new seed? Thamks

[@LawnRight]

Hi Ian if it's under a lot of soil not likely. That said I tend to use a general amenity seed on most lawns for this reason so it's all fairly similarly matched

[@SuperStevie70]

Great job,what’s the maximum depth you can go,really bad football pitch that’s sunk in places

[@LawnRight]

Hi if you build it up in layers.. firming up each layer as you go I dont see any restrictions other than time really 👍

[@SuperStevie70]

@@LawnRight thanks,would it be better topsoil on its own or a sand topsoil mix,drainage not great in spots

[@LawnRight]

@@SuperStevie70 topsoil or sandy soil will be fine as long as it's not overly sandy. Drainage should be fixed with other methods such as deep drilling

[@SuperStevie70]

@@LawnRight thanks really appreciate your advice 👍

[@bobblack4048]

Hi Shaun, I've watched a lot of your videos now, and I have one burning question. Do you put the thatch you get out of lawn into a compost heap, or do you have to dispose of it another way. Thank you.

[@LawnRight]

Hi, some people don't like to put it on the compost if they have recently applied weedkillers or pesticides, id really only do that if the lawns had a few weeks rest from any chemicals

[@Striperman]

It is really amazing how much thatch came out. Its a wonder how any water or products made it down into the soil before that. Nice job on the reno. Love that topper. Would come in very hand for sure.

[@LawnRight]

Cheers mr striperman!

[@SuperTA329]

New Sub here. Great step by step video. 👍🏻

[@LawnRight]

Thank you so much 😊👍

[@K4crasher]

Hi Shaun. I`m looking for your opinion on leveling as either i`ve come up with a better/faster way to level soil or, i`m an imbecile. And here it is, "when having to use as much soil in one area as you have in this video, wouldn`t a vibrating plate be better for the job"? I can think of several pluses but can`t think of a minus, perhaps you can? Terry, (rackheath garden & exterior services)

[@LawnRight]

Hi terry it might well work to compact down briefly but would it be any quicker than a roller? Also I'd only compact down the lower levels so that the top 6 inches are a little looser 😊

[@paddyschannel217]

Loads of work involved there Shaun …. Roughly what would be the cost of this job?… my garden is a similar size so depending on price I may tackle it myself …. I’m in a different part of the country than you mate. Cheers 👍🏻 … great job too.

[@LawnRight]

Hi I really can't remember what we charged this was a few years ago, but 2 men, 2 wages, plus materials, it was def a high 3 figure or possibly even a bit more

[@paddyschannel217]

@@LawnRight ok cheers pal ….. I’ll jump on it with a pal I recon. 👍🏻

[@malcolmbale9566]

How would you tackle the dips if you don’t have a roller?

[@LawnRight]

Apply thin layers, walk on it repeatedly, use your heels,rake it loose, add more topsoil to it.. apply another layer and repeat 😊

[@saglike93]

Hey pal you ok? What’s the ballpark for a job like this for a garden about half this size? Love the work but couldn’t do this myself no chance!

[@LawnRight]

Up to a days work plus topsoil .. prices will vary

[@All-rc804]

Hi I’m just sorting my lawn out at the minute and was wondering if after seeding can I use standard top soil or do I need to use compost?

[@LawnRight]

Hi you can use any and both will do a great job.. I prefer compost as it's putting goodness back in

[@All-rc804]

@@LawnRight thanks so much for the reply 👍🏻

[@steeshyboy]

Great video. Again. Do you think they poor weather/ low temperatures will effect the growth? I’ve just scarified and going to seed and top dress but don’t want to do it if it’s not go grow and be ruined. Temps are -4 in Scotland over night just now and only 6/7 during the day so not sure they’ll germinate.

[@LawnRight]

Hi it wont harm to wait another week or 2 or 3 till the low temps are better, like at least 4 degrees ar night. You def have it harder there 😥

[@steeshyboy]

@@LawnRight appreciate the quick reply mate!!

[@sergiocoria9447]

Oi mate, love this

[@LawnRight]

Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@ajfoxy14]

Good video, having scarified aerated, now looking at overseeding. I can get regular topsoil or i can get slightly more expensive top dressing screened to 3mm and heat treated. Would you say its worth the extra for the top dressing soil?

[@LawnRight]

Hi Adam I've done many a lawn with regular topsoil so you'll be just fine without the need for a topdressing. If its particularly clay soil or poor sandy soil then some compost dressing will help.improve the soil if you can get it in down aeration holes

[@rsylvester65]

How much would something like this cost materials plus labour?

[@LawnRight]

It would vary by the company whether a sole trader or large organisation... A good days work, plus staff and materials

[@davidspring3582]

May i ask what you use for top dressing

[@LawnRight]

Multipurpose compost 😊

[@ianreed7605]

How deep was the valley you filled in?

[@LawnRight]

Ooh.. I'd say at least 300mm deep possibly more. It was quite pronounced

[@ianjones1732]

Hi Shaun how come you never killed the grass off first with treatment before renovation or does it not matter leaving old grass in after scarification, is it ok to seed on top of the old grass then. Thanks

[@LawnRight]

Hi Ian, so when we scarify our goal is to scratch the soil surface and thin out the thatch within the grass. so new seeds will fall into the grooves created. so this way we introduce new grass to thicken things up while alleviating thatch issues :)

[@Lewis-te6re]

I know I've asked this before on previous videos but I'm still unsure! After Scarification etc.. when it comes to the overseeding part I'm confused. Do I literally just empty top soil bags evenly across the garden after overseeding and broadcast the topsoil with a shovel over the seeds and roller in and water it often and that's it? Or would you recommend a different approach with covering the seeds with topsoil? I'm just confused on that part. Your machines are unreal for doing that but for the basic gardener i don't know whats the best method in covering the seeds?

[@LawnRight]

Hi Lewis.. yes you're pretty much spot on. Ultimately if the seeds are covered by a thin layer, and touching soil they will germinate. The roller helps them touch the soil as long as you've scarified enough thatch and moss out and can see soil grooves. If you've large areas of completely bare soil then be careful with broadcasting the topsoil as it may move some seeds around so scatter soil in those areas. If you've plenty of grass left then seed, soil and use the back of a rake to work the two down to sol level before rolling then regular light watering. 👍😊

[@Lewis-te6re]

@@LawnRight top man! Thanks mate appreciate it all. Helped me loads

[@magill4046]

Proper days graft! 💪🥵👍

[@LawnRight]

😁👍

[@brodygoalie]

Can you use a 50/50 mix of sand and loam vs 100% loam to level an established lawn?? Thanks

[@LawnRight]

Hi yes you can but it just be 100% dry due to whatever percentage of clay the soil holds.. aĺs the clay should be small enough to go unnoticed ie you dont want big lumps

[@gearoidoconnor6900]

Hey, great vid; what’s the name of the levelling device ure dragging over and back? Where can it be sourced? Cheers

[@LawnRight]

Hi it's called a lawn levelling lute. Mine was from ebay but there are numerous websites that sell them.

[@mickeyhughes7244]

Mega job that!

[@LawnRight]

Aye.. thanks 😊👍 I've recovered now 😁

[@mickeyhughes7244]

@@LawnRight having just watched it I was thinking ..that looks like a brutal day's work...excellent to watch, really enjoyed it

[@dhutch2000]

Did you actually bring in 3.5ton in pre-pack bags?

[@LawnRight]

No no no.. it was delivered loose onto my tarpaulin

[@JackD87]

Can’t wait for the follow up! Have subscribed. Was this all in a day? Very tempted to get a company in to do mine.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks! Yes all in one day.

[@vashon100]

Is there ever a follow up that shows say 2 months out results?

[@ianchappell4199]

Great job Shaun and Chris. Do you have a website please?

[@LawnRight]

Hi Ian lawnright.co.uk cheers

[@tomtom4903]

Hello Shaun. Do you using 100% top soil or you mix with sand? Thx

[@LawnRight]

Hi I've done both. Usually just toosilbut there's no issue adding a little sand in

[@philbroadhead4689]

Hi, I completely stripped my lawn this year and used 25 tons of soil but had to change to a different soil supplier for 5 of the tons of soil.The trouble is the grass where the 5 tons went has come up a yellowy green and where the 20 tons are the grass is a lovely green healthy grass. Is there anything you can recommend to improve the colour. I did a ph test and the 5 tons is acid soil.

[@LawnRight]

Hi Phil a little bit of Lime would help but all depends how acidic it is. Ive personally never needed to do this nor done this, but I suggest using anywhere from 20g to 100g per sq metre to raise Ph by 0.5 however cautionary words are that once its on you cant take it off so id just go with a very thin layer and see how it performs... please note that you still wait up to 12 months for the roots to develop so it may just be a simple case of waiting it out - Ive had numerous lawns that act stupid and poor for the first year but once they've then gone through their first winter they come back stronger than ever

[@philbroadhead4689]

@@LawnRight Hi thank you for the information i'll certainly give lime a go.

[@richardsheppard5881]

What fertiliser did you use and seed and top dressing !?

[@LawnRight]

Hi a 16 4 8 fertiliser based on chicken manure (unbranded from my commercial supplier). The seed is simply an amenity mix,which is used on most typical lawns, the topdressing is a £2.49 bag from home bargains. I've done it this way for years and find unless for very specific requests this works fine

[@richardsheppard5881]

@@LawnRight thankyou

[@wckfuk]

Hi Shaun. Great vid. What compost do you use for top dressing ? Or do you use just soil ? Or a mixture of both and if so why ? Thanks mate. Keep up the great videos

[@LawnRight]

Hi! Any multipurpose compost will be fine.. b and q verve in purple bags ive used many times.. growmore frol home bargains etc. Can use any of those combinations and will work great

[@wckfuk]

@@LawnRight Hi Shaun, thanks mate. Do you screen it yourself with the compost roller as you roll along ?

[@LawnRight]

@@wckfuk Hi yeah the compost roller does a good job if screening out larger pieces while the finer stuff goes through the holes :)

[@davidbanner9001]

Why not cut first, then scarify. Cut again at the same height to pick up the thatch?

[@LawnRight]

Hi David. Thanks for the sub. Ive tried this approach over the years and it is handy for small amounts of thatch but not so muxh on thicker lawns. I guess ive just grown accustomed to my own way

[@TonySaxby]

When do expect to see the results

[@LawnRight]

Depending on the weather between 2 to 4 weeks 👍

[@grahambrown5874]

Why don’t I see gardeners use a scarifier that has a basket to collect the thatch? I do and it saver labour.

[@LawnRight]

It's usually because on thatch lawns the basket fills up extremely fast so it ends up quicker letting it out and raking it up

[@swagger105]

Was the customers kettle broke.

[@LawnRight]

Ha ha.. many of them usually are 😁 still get a few working ones 😉

[@listdoludzie]

Filling in Dips: If it was your own lawn and you didn't compact the new soil enough, couldn't you just fix it in the future if it sinks a bit?

[@LawnRight]

Hi yes absolutely, 😊👍

[@mickeyhughes7244]

If heavy clay what would you suggest levelling with please?

[@LawnRight]

Hi I'd aerate really well then use some compost down the holes then use regular topsoil for levelling 😊👍

[@mickeyhughes7244]

@@LawnRight thank you 😊

[@MrJohnnyorange]

Hard days work!

[@traceywoodall6937]

You work so I hard you are forgiven 😂😂😂

[@LawnRight]

Thanks 😇😇😇 ha ha

[@tonybooth8197]

Are you from Doncaster or just use Doncaster Soil?

[@LawnRight]

Hi.. I'm in the area yes 😁

[@tonybooth8197]

@@LawnRight I have just been watching you for a while and saw the donny truck. Had a chuckle to myself. I live in Hatfield and no doubt will bump in to you one day😁

[@LawnRight]

@@tonybooth8197 he he.. were closer to.donny town. Hive us a wave when you see the van 😊

[@tonybooth8197]

@@LawnRight you never know I may come out with you for the day :P

[@LawnRight]

@@tonybooth8197 aha free labour! 😁👍

[@paulomontero12]

those scarifying machines actually destroy all of the grass.

[@LawnRight]

The lawns will recover in 6 weeks with watering. They are beneficial to thin out thatch layers

[@paulwalker9732]

If it wasn't so contradictive, I would give all I have to own a garden that size shape and level, just a different size and shape building on it to call home, I just need acres of woodland to look at when I look down the garden and over the bottom fence or hedge. That alone would make me so much happier. And with an A3 5dr and a Clive Sutton Mustang parked out front, coupled with good physical health and a job with good wage, I would be over joyed, just not office or care work or anything with kids involved.

[@seanmcguire7974]

No follow up?

[@LawnRight]

Hi I've not filmed anything recently but the lawn looks just fine . I did pop back a few months back and seeded a few small patches but since then its ticking along well

[@trevorcleland3759]

A super make work project. Cannot believe these people ask for money to do this