LEVELING And SMOOTHING Your LAWN With TOPDRESSING // Soil Vs Sand // Short Lawn Vs Tall Lawn

It's never fun to mow a bumpy lawn so today let's look at how to level and smooth by topdressing. I also cover why I'm using soil this time vs sand and also we look at a low cut plus as well as a taller cut plot.
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[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Lawn Leveling Tool - ryanknorrlawncare.com/product/lawn-level/ Also on Amazon - amzn.to/3A5aYM0 Gorilla Cart - amzn.to/41ssLcp Dethatcher - amzn.to/3zYXJg5 Soil Sifter Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqXReXioj9Nqgck GRASS SEED -- Ryan Knorr Lawn Care ELITE Grass Seed Lineup - ryanknorrlawncare.com/product-category/grass-seed/ryan-knorr-lawn-care-grass-seed/ Ryan Knorr Lawn Care is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@R0B0T2k]

What push reel mower is that? where can I order it?

[@theCastleberry]

Watching you flick that black gold across the grass was one of the most satisfying things I have watched in a long time! Great stuff as always. Keep on keeping on.

[@greenM1221]

I bought your leveling rake in early March and finally got to use it this past week in my front yard and It worked great I love it and can’t wait to use it again .

[@bighammer3464]

I just finished top dressing about about 800 sq ft using 2 yards of dirt. Built my own screener as well. What you forget to mention is all the friggin hard work. Two days of screening and applying the dirt. Super exhausting, in the heat, back hurts etc. It looks so easy in the edit but it’s back breaking work

[@granturismo315]

I feel you lol

[@TheJesp01]

Lol, no one should be doing this like that

[@beteeho]

800 SQUARE FEET?

[@Fishneck10]

800sq ft. Thats cute

[@TheJesp01]

Imaging leveling 10,000sq ft with a shovel 😂

[@robertlark10]

My daughter (4) calls you my “grass teacher”. Thx & keep flinging that soil!

[@architecturehappy]

THANK YOU! I had major mole damage last summer and have some deep ruts and I’m going to do exactly what you did, just level it all and reseed where I need to. Was very helpful to hear you spell that out and you had done it that way, really don’t have time to do multiple passes haha (2 kids under 3)

[@neilshah7471]

Just finished patching up some dead spots after watching your video yesterday. I’m excited to see how it turns out in 3 weeks!

[@garrettnelson8469]

Good video Ryan. I also appreciate how you always have excellent audio on your videos. Consistent volume level and good clear sound always. Keep up the good work.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

The wind is really trying my patience on that lately 😀

[@maryrekar2150]

Wow I am impressed! That is some awesome soil slinging! Thanks for great informative videos

[@LawnRight]

I can already tell its gonna be a good season!

[@OBD01]

Great video It was like you heard my wife complaining about how bumpy our backyard is. What an exciting time for ya"ll first growing season!!

[@Overpar73]

Looking very nice Ryan, I can't believe it was 80 yesterday and today it's spitting some snow!!

[@johnjrkean7008]

Man when I see your old lawn I miss it like it was my own haha....I know ur future one will be just as epic!!!!

[@007NAC]

Great edit! The slow mo was solid! I'm debating leveling mine

[@craigag76]

I was so confused when I watched two different videos on different YT channels about leveling and both guys were wearing the same T-shirt. Took me a minute, but I figured it out.

[@IowaLawnGuy]

Snow today.. gotta love Iowa

[@douglasauruss]

I've used a compost spreader to screen topsoil too, it works great. Roll it out and then dump the rocks, refill, repeat.

[@Craig-ib7gk]

Likewise. I use my Landzie spreader for peat moss, compost, and soil top-dressing. As always, just be sure you're filling it directly on a location where you want material to start dropping, because once its in there, it ain't rolling anywhere without dropping material behind.

[@avemardore]

@@Craig-ib7gk Did that just this weekend with my new Landzie. Top dressed the whole thing, especially the low spots. 60 bags. Loved the tool.

[@danielgrandon2701]

Thanks for sharing Ryan!

[@BrentFoxhere]

THIS is the video I’ve been looking for!

[@Pooroljc]

Your video I what I have to do this fall, thanks for the tips n tricks. JC in IL.

[@marlarenae7585]

The smooth shovel soil toss was 🤌 * chef’s kiss* 🔥

[@Blubaugh5]

I love the classic Lawn Rebel shirt.

[@TheDylan6908]

Damn Ryan, you're a dirt flying ninja.

[@corn1971]

Regarding screening your dirt material. I made some screens similar to what you have for sifting compost. Was getting a bit hard on the back being bent over while pushing around the material. And it was a slow process. Last year found some inspiration for new DIY system. Using a couple of big bicycle rim and the same mesh screening I made essentially a rotatable trommel that fits over my gorilla cart. Built a wooden frame the size of the cart, bought four caster wheels and attached to the frame for the bike rims to rotate on. Wrapped mesh around the rims, sealed with zip ties the at the rims and to seal the length of mesh to close the tube shape. Elevate the end you load into so material travels away from you as you rotate the screen. Fine material falls through, stones and sticks fall out the other end. A wheel barrow fits at my end so I can dump elsewhere the unwanted stuff the falls out the end. Much easier just hand rotating a circle than pushing around dirt.

[@hystericallymad]

I use my peat moss spreader to screen topsoil.

[@lukemitchell7326]

Great content 👌🏼 nice shirt where is connor missing that guy You have awesome tips and advice thanks heaps

[@barriewright2857]

From the UK thank you for the information and i have sub and 👍🏿up great information.

[@LeakyBucketHandle]

I’ve found a big bucket fert spreader is a great way to distribute material. Must be sieved though.

[@michaelkuhne2705]

Have you ever tried or thought about cutting out a section of grass, that being of the severe low spot variety, and putting soil underneath to make everything level and even?

[@ski6345]

Hey, how about miracle grow top soil.??? Ya know, the stuff in a bag. I've been wondering about dirt vs sand and I think you answered the question in this video - It'll Work.!!!

[@colmortimer1066]

My yard is like 40 years old, and I don't think much has been done, there are a couple 3' diameter holes where trees were, and a few little channels running through the middle of it where water has eroded it. Will this process work for that, just need more dirt to fill, or is there a better way to fix larger holes? Maybe ways to stop the eroding from gutters and sunk pumps running. I'm just now starting to learn this stuff and find ways to fix things, your channel has been a great help so far. :)

[@mikelezan1023]

I have canyons compared to what you did in the video. I have some close to 3"-4" and not sure if filling in with just top soil or mixing sand and top soil and reseeding is best. I am up here in Michigan and trying to get this lawn prepared for the winter. Just found you channel and love the videos!

[@lazylearner967]

I bought your level lawn from Landzie. Can’t wait to use it when the snow melts here in Utah. What are your thoughts of seeding with KBG and a turf type tall fescue seed?

[@DaveBoss302]

Great video. You make it look so easy 😅. I have to do some serious leveling in areas. The yard is very bumpy. I have tall fescue, is it okay to scalp it down really low to make spreading easier?

[@jfarm_1311]

One day I’ll take the plunge and do some leveling. I have the RK leveling rake ready to go

[@bigomondis104]

Recently did my spring top dress and the sand compost mix I got delivered was wet so shovel throwing was out of the question.

[@ThatZombieLife]

Ryan I love the 🦩 flamingo shirt brother

[@terrywatts1060]

Let get it!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Ryan, what mic do you use please?

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

I mix peat moss and sand

[@rickymccoy5450]

Hey Ryan, is there any downside to smothering grass in low spots and seeding over top? Specifically with the new seed having to root through a layer of soil and a layer of dead grass?

[@KC-sz4gx]

Hey Ryan, can I ask why you didn't use the landzie spreader, like you have in the past?

[@mo2fifty937]

I live in central california where the weather gets in the 100’s in the summer, any tips of type of grass thatll grow or survive the extremely hot weather?

[@joey4duncan]

Do you recommend sand leveling for a mostly TTTF lawn?

[@sarmaris]

I've got a new house/ new yard on a pretty good hill. Can't do much about the hill, but this should work to at least smooth out bumps, right? Or would you suggest another method for a hill?

[@adamfrbs9259]

Ever heard of the Clipper reel mower? Cheaper than the PGA one from Hudson, but not cheap. Hope it's good. Do a review of it and order one up??

[@edmoore2517]

if you are a homeowner this process is ok. as a business you need a topdresser like a Metermatic, a drag mat, and a conveyor truck to load the topdresser

[@schmitty69]

Have you ever discovered a rabbit and squirrel proof lawn leveling agent? I cannot win with these things!! Haha

[@demacherius1]

I found that compost is great for leveling. Also even with fertilizer the places with alot of compost look better months later than the rest of lawn.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

That works but the bad part is compost breaks down so it won't be much of a permanent fix.

[@A-Kings-Cut]

@@ryanknorrlawncare so your saying seeing that its compost an not top soil that it'll be an annual application?

[@demacherius1]

@@ryanknorrlawncare This is only partial true as far as I have seen over the last 3 Years. Yes it is braking down, but if you mulch and dont remove mass from the property the level wont change noticeable.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

@@A-Kings-Cut It's hard to say exactly how fast that organic matter will break down

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

@@demacherius1 Just saying if you're going for true leveling work, I don't want to steer people into something they're going to be disappointed in down the road. Thanks for commenting!

[@dmangrichman14]

Was just on the website, about to order some rye

[@dmangrichman14]

We shall see if i can get it to go im just two hours from you

[@ryandiel10]

Any issues doing this in early spring in Iowa ? Once it’s greened up

[@fitzroysaffery9926]

When is the best time to over seed in Kentucky

[@markkempton4579]

Our yard has always been lumpy, so I've started looking into options. There's several inches variance in the height in my front yard. I'm assuming I should just dump the topsoil on and sacrifice the grass. I've read that I should use a combination of one part sand to two parts soil. Anything wrong with that?

[@saiiiiiii1]

Hi Ryan, I'm in my 5th season of 'decent' lawn care now. There's a problem I just can't seem to get rid of. Everytime I cut lower than 1.5 inches there are lots of brown spots showing up. The lawn was fertilized 3 weeks ago, is growing nicely, well irrigated and freshly aeriated. Do I just need to hang on to cutting at this height or is my existing lawn maybe just not made to be cut at this height even though 1.5 inches doesn't really seem to be that low? How many weeks should I try until I give up and just let it grow taller again?

[@4rdzlla]

I did aand last year. I'd probably prefer dirt but the weeds would be nuts. I dunno where to get soil without weeds

[@jondavis5782]

nice shirt! 😁

[@cschmitty75]

Oh my how the weeds will come from this! Totally would do the same however.😮

[@djcb421]

The illusion of freedom.

[@leonardochen6017]

I just Aerator and dethatcher my lawn then I see so many rocks and roots on my lawn, do I have remove all the rocks and the roots ?

[@harperexplores9349]

Glad you got to use your screen again. 😂

[@chroniclesofnanner9543]

I have to do this as we had a vole move into our yard this winter and destroyed the yard under the snow. The snow just got done melting this week and revealed the extent of the damage.

[@tonychau1983]

Was your grass high? I set traps and cut grass low haven't seen them this yr

[@chroniclesofnanner9543]

@@tonychau1983 about 1 1/2”, not super low but not high

[@tonychau1983]

@@chroniclesofnanner9543 they suck caught about 4 with mice traps and peanut butter

[@jtltet]

I have to laugh because I would consider that area already level, especially compared to my yard. For starters, we have a sloping yard and some steeper hills as well so I would be concerned about that loose soil washing away the first time it rains. Do you have any tips for leveling the lawn on sloped or hilly areas? Also, I have very visible low spots and ruts.

[@themichaelhanson]

My yard is very lumpy. I leveled with top soil a couple seasons ago. At first it was great, like walking on a carpet. Unfortunately, after basically a year it’s back to being just as lumpy as it was before. I know since soul is organic it’ll just keep breaking down unevenly. Any idea how much leveling sand would cost? Would it be way more than soil?

[@slatfreq]

This is great. A really nice explanation of the process. I've considered doing this for my backyard, which is super bumpy due to the roots of a silver maple tree being really close to the surface. Would love to put another layer on to level some of the especially bumpy and exposed areas. Is there any reason why this process wouldn't work for my specific use-case?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Landscaping is usually best around exposed roots because grass has a hard time fighting against what the established tree is already taking for resources

[@boonvang708]

How do I remove little humps throughout my yard?

[@A-Kings-Cut]

You must have known that I got 6 yds delivered yesterday to top dress my front and back yard, this is how I'm spending my Sunday.

[@DogFacePuffa]

Did you get sand, soil, lawn dirt, top dressing mix, half sand half compost, hoosker-do’s, hoosker don’ts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisiers with or without the scooter stick, or one single whistlin kitty chaser??? Need to know.

[@A-Kings-Cut]

@@DogFacePuffa lol well i didn't get any Joe Dirt..i got 5 yrds of this 60/40 mix of organic compost and sand with additional of 1 yrd of sand.. Got done aerating yesterday. Gotta spread this than apply some fert.

[@hhazelhoff1363]

For dressing I prefer blue cheese

[@fuelmemma5236]

what kind of aerator was that? 1:20

[@cmacleod9424]

Random question - what kind of boots are you wearing in this video? They look perfect for what I need! Thanks again for all the great content

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Kujo Jags. You can get 10% through this link 👍 ryanknorrlawncare.com/product/kujo/

[@Boxing31]

Definitely need to do this on my new yard at my new house. It’s like they had the plumbers toss the sod. Trash job. Any time of year better for this? Was waiting until spring because I did want to seed after. Bermuda grass. Thanks for this.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Late spring early summer for Bermuda

[@clevejason]

Nice lawn rebel shirt - I hope Connor is ok I haven’t seen him post in awhile

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

He lives in a climate where there's basically 9 months of winter. It's still winter

[@MK-px3re]

Why not overseed first and then level?

[@Anamnesis]

The real question is where to obtain topdressing material that isn't filled with rocks, mulch, clay, hardened mineral chunks, broken glass, wire, bits of plastic, and other assorted garbage. Yes I've gone to landscape suppliers. Yes I've seen their premium compost mixes. It's all the same. Everything is full of rocks and trash.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

I've actually had really good luck with bulk stuff here and even the bagged stuff from a few box stores has been good. I know it's not this way all the way across the country but I'm sure but the added screening is there so I know I have the good stuff going down and not the junk.

[@steffen707-]

1, 2, 3, 4 FIFTH!

[@oldschooldodge1]

Haven't seen the Challeger in a while.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Neither have I. Winter storage

[@cschmitty75]

"Calloway Big Bertha" lawn leveling "Driver" please release with hats and shirts

[@peterc899]

Question - A local supply company by me sells a Topdressing mix that is “50% topsoil, 50% fine sand”. Would you recommend this mix to level a bumpy lawn? Thanks in advance!

[@rayw3332]

That's what I'm gonna use!

[@robertschneider2189]

The Department of Agriculture at the University of Illinois says to never use sand if you have clay-based soil. When sand mixes with clay, it makes something akin to concrete. Looks like you have that wonderful black earth

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Mixing is different than sand capping. Check out all the research from Michigan St. This system has been used on native soil fields and golf courses in the Midwest for many many years

[@ladyewo6778]

Can you use a spreader as a top dresser?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

The material would have to be completely dry and very fine

[@StuckinNOVA]

Any suggestions on grass seed type to patch a lawn that is cool season, but gets sun for 10+ hours each day during the summer? We're talking straight sun beating down all.day.long.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Tall fescue is probably the most heat tolerant. Depends on how high of heat and for how many months as to whether it can withstand that or not.

[@robertswift6101]

@@ryanknorrlawncare i also heard tall fescue is not disease tolerant either but in my opinion fescue stripes the best

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

@@robertswift6101 rye is best striping overall becusee of the shiny leaf and it bends very easily but fescue is good

[@eddiejeffers2783]

Do you work in Maryland? Yard needs serious help!!

[@newwavenoise]

Does one have to worry about weed seeds being in the new topsoil being applied for leveling?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Definitely possible yes

[@smp5093]

Absolutely! Followed one of Ryan's old leveling videos for my uneven backyard. Worked well except for tons of weeds so far. I'm blaming crappy soil and a mild winter as the main culprits since weeds were sparse in previous years.

[@christianlarson6708]

Any thoughts on using a roller after leveling?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

You can do that if you would like to try to fine tune things even further. It is not likely to move the ground too much as far as high spots

[@christianlarson6708]

Thanks! Looking forward to your new massive lawn! Should put Connor to shame 😉

[@jasonkelley6185]

Thanks Ryan! Question: If I have a really uneven lawn, like I would need 6 inches of soil to level some places, is it ok to just bury the existing grass if I'm willing to start from seed there? I thought you had said once in the past that the layer of buried grass could cause issues. Keep em coming! Super excited to see how the new place turns out.

[@bighammer3464]

I think what might cause issues is a thick thatch layer in that case. I would dethatch in two directions there using a scarifier the top dress. You could run the scarifier slower or till the soil to really mulch up the existing grass

[@jasonkelley6185]

@@bighammer3464 Thanks. Just to be clear, my scarifier came with two barrels. One has little hook like things that I use to dethatch normally. There is also a barrel that has curved blade looking things on it. Which one do you mean when you say scarify?

[@bighammer3464]

@@jasonkelley6185 it’s the curved solid blade attachment. The other one is the power rake. The power rake has spring loaded metal tines. The scarifier digs into the ground to really tear up that thatch. Just watch out for them rocks.

[@jasonkelley6185]

@@bighammer3464 Thanks!

[@IPv6Freely]

Mine is so bumpy my lawnmower is bouncing around while I mow. I think I need to figure out a way to completely re-do my yard.

[@blipblopride9024]

Mine is the same and I plan to incrementally level. I am hoping over time it fixes.

[@chrisvanwilgen5221]

How come no one addresses new weeds after leveling?

[@Aehaze]

My yard is severely unlevel, Grade is off a tremendous amount near the road. Been wanting to do this but its going to take a LOT of dirt to fix. :(

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Yep my original back yard was like that so we had it completely torn up and regraded. It made a huge difference in the long run.

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

This is really only for smoothing the yard, not so much working on the grade. I don't know how big your area is but if you have grading work perhaps use a sod cutter, remove the turf, fix the grade and replace the sod. This just isn't going to fix a grading issue.

[@andyleo8418]

Back-breaking labor. Might be better to hire out this job. Save your back for more fun activities 😅

[@kore996]

⚠️ my lawn was re-sodded last year because there was a lot of glass and debris from a tornado and they did a horrible job. Currently it is extremely bumpy and they presented a solution that I don’t think is a good idea. They want to saturate the lawn with water and then bring in one of those compacting driving rollers (technical name 😂) that you see for asphalt compacting BUT…won’t that make my soil too compact for the root system or potentially cause other problems? Any help would be appreciated.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Yeah not a great plan. I'd have them redo the whole thing the right way from the start with grading it smooth and then resod

[@tonyryma1219]

You could be a hockey player. Maybe for the Minnesota Wild.

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Haha probably not but I am from Minnesota so hockey is pretty familiar for us

[@xephael3485]

Are you growing your own sod or something?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Test plots of all the grass types and different heights of cut

[@robertswift6101]

wouldnt fine sand be easier and better? i have compacted soil which i think is clay soil so i was going to add sand to fill in low spots and help with drainage

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

You would want coarse sand

[@robertswift6101]

@@ryanknorrlawncare thanks for the reply,,i will have coarse sand delivered

[@A-Kings-Cut]

🌱👍

[@karatejoe5049]

Soundtrack is a bit dramatic Bryan.

[@davidhires7403]

Haha finally. I got a first 10 view!!!!!! Yes!!!

[@danniehays5976]

Do you know what happened to Connor Ward?

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

It's still sub 50 highs and lows near freezing where he lives in Utah. He has snow on the way this week. He's just not in his season yet.

[@titosrevenger]

Connor also works a full time job, runs a dumpster business, has a KZbin channel, kids, and a big yard. He doesn't have as much time to make videos.

[@NGcredibleLife]

1

[@papalatistudios]

This looks great… but a Pipedream for those of us living with rabbits, chipmunks, and worst of all squirrels who insist on constantly burying their nuts all over our property. So yeah never gonna happen for us. But one can dream.

[@meme-yc4ks]

Ryan....Whats up with Connor?

[@ryanknorrlawncare]

Winter

[@ulysses1685]

Grass can be under soil a little bit, it will go up through soil to sun anyway.