The Secret Nobody Tells You About Lawn Leveling Rakes

[@TurfMechanic]

►►► Want to fix your lawn for the long haul but don't know where to start? I can help! Click here right now and get started today: turfmech.link/dont-know-where-to-start ◄◄◄

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

I just bought a lawn lute and then returned it. Thanks for the advice. You just saved me 100 dollars.

[@archael18]

Broom is fine if you're putting down just a bit of material but otherwise, it really doesn't work well and is much harder to drag. For putting down more material, a lawn leveling rake makes the job much more enjoyable.

[@Ghostrider1717x]

Great Advice. I’m currently tackling this project with my backyard. Former home owner had dogs that dug holes everywhere. Using a push broom to level seems so logical now that you’ve brought it up. Great video Thank you

[@Gragon]

like others I was about to cash out on the leveling rake, thanks for the advice Ill just go with the cheapo push broom

[@rodgersandrodgers8191]

50 some years ago I learned to level cement by using two stakes and a string stretched between them and a regular horizontal level. I would think that this could be done for yards as well simply by stretching a string between two stakes and placing a level on that to make sure the string is stretched tight between those two stakes. You could also give it a small but flat incline in order to have the proper runoff instead of it being totally flat and totally evenly level. It would look level but have a ability to run off to the direction you would want. You stretch that string between the two steaks at the level that you want it to be plus The height of your push broom. And then you simply have to make sure that push broom just barely fits underneath the string at all locations. Just a thought if you can be applied to lawns as well as would I have learned about cement. That was long ago and far far away. Thank you for your videos. I appreciate them

[@toryevanss4512]

This is the video I needed! No interest in a "perfect" lawn, I just want my kids to be able to run around without twisting an ankle.

[@TurfMechanic]

❤ that's what its about, a safe zone for the family. Glad the video hit the spot for you 😊

[@schonshippy4075]

Thanks Turf Mechanic. You saved me money! I wanted to do a deep dive into the level rake before I made the steep purchase. Came across your video. I love tools that are multi-functional. Excited to get my push broom on the lawn. We recently moved onto more acreage. Looking forward to browsing your content to assist with our spring lawn needs.

[@alandickson1629]

Good to see the kids involved. Little helpers so important for building family relations

[@mikedunn7795]

I have an uneven lawn,and although it doesn't affect mowing,it DOES affect how well my push lawn sweeper works. I like the sweeper for keeping the lawn neat and leaf/twig free. BTW,I have a 36" push broom,and am eager to try it for leveling my top dressing.

[@markhousman8447]

I bought one of those fancy lawn leveling racks a couple of years ago. It seems to work quite well where there is ample grass for the leveling rack to glide over. I level with the lawn leveling rack where the ground is bumpy and uneven to walk on or mow. I don't think a leveling rack would work very well for the lawn in this video as this lawn is too patchy for the leveling rack to glide over the top of.

[@Ninjaa320]

I have a serious mole issue, so I've gone through leveling a lot. I use TTF/KBG mix seed (PNW region, about 20 miles north of Seattle) I used a push broom for years, leveling with topsoil. I agree that a leveling rake is not necessary, however it is easier than a push broom. I tried out a very cheap one, and it made my work a lot easier. So I finally sprung for a larger higher quality leveling rake, and it's even better. So while it's not necessary to use a leveling rake, my opinion is that for most people they wouldn't regret getting one. Yes, it is a single purpose tool, but for me it's worth the space it takes up in my shed (and space is at a premium). Also, if you care about having a smooth enjoyable mowing experience, you'll only get there using a leveling rake (smooth enjoyable = you don't feel the wheels of the mower moving up/down as you mow). After using a leveling rake, I very much enjoy mowing my lawn bare foot and not feeling the little bumps in the yard. Again, nothing in this video is "wrong". I'm just talking about my own personal experiences.

[@amorestperpe]

Hands down, I think you're channel is probably the best by far with regards to lawn care

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

I agree, you and a handful of others are amazing. Lawn amateur, you can do it lawn care, Jason seiberleich. I like your videos because they are the most informative, the amateur because his grass is freakishly emerald and you can see his pride and love for lawncare, the you can do it lc because he has had the same struggles that I have and he's cool af, and Jason because he is the kbg field general, kind of like Braveheart but for kbg.

[@chrislindsay3104]

Nice tip about the broom; I never toss mine after the brush gets warn I use it to clear debris on the lawn. Are you going to seed or sod this lawn?

[@TurfMechanic]

Thabks Chris, we'll be pampering the lawn space until late August and then we'll seed at that time. Around here our summer ends early so we have to seed in late summer instead of waiting until actual autumn. BTW, nice to know someone else out there uses their old brooms on the lawn! 😃

[@anthonymyers4378]

Excellent advice, underrated channel.

[@NextLevelLawnCare]

I just used a 36" Landscape rake i bought at home depot for like $25 and it worked great :)

[@TurfMechanic]

Awesome! And you'll find so many more uses for that throughout the years too!

[@azdave1422]

Great use of a push broom! Smooth results and more gentle on established grass! I love those “lightbulb” moments that make sense and simplify our lives. Good post and enjoy seeing kids involved with you.

[@TurfMechanic]

I was so happy to see the kids excited about the project, was impressed they all wanted to help so much too, especially since we were working in 90+ degree temps! Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!

[@justinbailey2806]

You mentioned kind of a series about this persons lawn you are helping him with, I haven't found a link of this or a follow up since as a series. It's ok if this just slipped by the wayside as life takes on events and other priorities, it is an interesting process of how that lawn will improve over time.

[@TurfMechanic]

I should make a playlist for this - so far there are three vids (this one is #3) and then we took the summer off to wait for overseeding season which is close at hand. Probably will have more vids on this project over the next couple of months.

[@LebronJames-kd6pw]

I just bought a golf course lawn leveling rake for $107. I know that is a lot of money for a rake but I just wanted one and figure I’ll have it forever. It’s very nice. But a push broom does a very good job and it’s true you can get excellent results just using a push broom. Sometimes the broom can push the material out from the divot you were trying to fill when you overwork it so just have to watch.

[@MagnumVideos]

Nice video. I'm working on a big depression in our previously perfect front lawn. Slow process, a little at a time. But it seems to be coming up slowly.

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

You are a wealth of knowledge.

[@TurfMechanic]

Just keep reminding my wife please 😆

[@tarawilliams6375]

So I plan on doing a lawn leveling for the first time this fall. I live in Lexington, Kentucky (actually just south in Nicholasville). Plan on doing the entire lawn space and overseeing. I threw down some Spectricide for lawns last week to get rid of all the weeds which the back yard is basically all weeds. Question is why would I need to fertilize heavily before putting the dirt down?

[@TurfMechanic]

If you put dirt down you want your existing grass growing as vigorously as possible to grow through the new layer of soil you put down when leveling. The slower your existing grass grows the more of it will get mulched down with the addition of new top soil. Any regular urea product (not urea-triazone or coated urea) will become plant available in just a couple days in the fall and will push quick growth so long as it's well irrigated. Id recommend applying some p & k a few days prior to adding the N also so the new growth is healthy. Good luck!

[@davemanmartin]

Just looks like it needs some seed and some time. What a beautiful spot!!

[@brianschmitz6188]

While I agree with you on this, I kind of disagree in the sense that if you have an opportunity like this, where you could really level at the start, as opposed to trying to doing it later, I would do it now. Doing it later, on an established lawn is so difficult. I agree it's probably not necessary for most, but at this time, you can really do things right and you don't always have that chance unless you really smoke the lawn and do a complete overhaul.

[@5stardave]

I want a croquet smooth lawn.

[@TurfMechanic]

Nice to see someone wanting something other than a putting green! Lol 😆

[@wakingupfrom]

brooming the soil is genius

[@ChrisS-if7ev]

Tinacity and Speed Zone are a great combo. Tinacity of course being a pre and post. Just discovered them this year and I can say they are amazing. Not a weed anywhere and since Tinacity acts as a pre as well as a post, I do not expect any weeds either.

[@TheSoloAsylum]

I copied a lawn leveling rake and made one out of aluminum for $35 and it will last forever. The "pro" model I copied was $150.

[@Elzanto]

Good advice.

[@amandadavis9726]

I live on five acres. The only reason I’m gonna level my lawn is so that I can consistently mow around 10 mph 😁

[@TurfMechanic]

Lol!! OK, you got me, that's when a 36" leveling rake will come in handy! 🤣 imagine the amounts of material you'd need for 5 acres...😳

[@amandadavis9726]

@@TurfMechanic actually, it’s about 2 1/2acres that is actually grass, lol. I’m gonna build a drag leveler to save some time. There’s no way I’d attempt to do all of that by hand. And besides that,…I don’t need it perfectly level for a reel mower,…I just need it smoother to drive my ZTR across it.

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

Again excellent video. You're batting 1000. No need to respond.

[@TurfMechanic]

👊

[@bluejay3945]

Great advice but I go with a 50. -50 blend of compost and screened topsoil. Much easier to push around

[@TurfMechanic]

The mix is always a debate. Your preferred mix is more nutrient dense too so it could be the way to go but compost continues decomposing in the soil losing mass along the way so the level lawn you get today may be only almost level next year. We went with the sandy mix but really there's no right answer. Thanks for your comment and input!

[@bluejay3945]

@@TurfMechanic you are absolutely right but I regretted adding any sand to a particularly sun baked typical clay area. While the compost did decompose over time the sand that remained made the best Adobe any where. I aerated the hell out of it last fall and added 75 compost 25 screened soil and bags of humichar. Much like Bigfoot I want to believe my $$$ in Humichar is the real deal. This was the first video of yours I have watched. Keep being honest and real. Everybody appreciates truth over merchandise. If you listen to the reel mower divas you can spend the equivalent of a Tesla on your lawn every 3 months. I would love to see more of your practical skills as well as how this project progresses. The kids were awesome. Stay well

[@TurfMechanic]

@@bluejay3945 thank for the followup, yeah, I guess your situation might have baked things a bit but typically sand to clay helps with drainage but as a top dressing probably not the same as mixed in. I'm glad you got a taste of my material with this vid, I try to stay educational and practical in my vids mostly although I do spend some money on the lawn for sure, lol.. 10 bags of worm castings aren't cheap 🤣 anyway I hope to see you in the comments more often! 😃

[@mooko85]

I should have watched this video first before drinking the Ryan Knorr koolaid and ended up purchasing a leveling rake

[@TurfMechanic]

I'm not going to go knocking Ryan but I'll happily say that leveling rakes are probably nessesary for ultra detailed perfection work or for people trying to mow at half an inch...most of us however don't do that no matter how popular it seems on KZbin. I mow super low at 1.35-1.5", lowest on the rotary mower and shooting for perfection is just not nessesary, it's overkill for me and nearly everyone else out there.

[@russellradwanski5771]

Great idea! I’m so tired of seeing expensive, over the top, pointless lawn care videos. Like yourself, I don’t need a putting lawn haha

[@TurfMechanic]

Love this comment Russell! I'd drink a beer with you while walking through our "rolling" nearly flat lawns lol 😆

[@russellradwanski5771]

@@TurfMechanic with enough beers, the lawns will either feel perfectly flat or even more wobbly 🤣

[@alambe7275]

Kids are awesome but using a broom not for me

[@TurfMechanic]

It's not for everybody and yeah, the kids make things fun when there's no rush to get a job done 😃