finding it hard to level out soil for grass seed.

[4390evans]

Hey guys

Im finding it a bit hard to get the soil level for the grass seed to go down.

I know no one is ever gonna get it perfect but after continuous raking Im still finding hills and valleys.

Anyone got any tips?

Thanks guys
Jen

[dim]

get a large piece of heavy wood/plank .... tie rope to the 2 ends and drag it along the surface .... you will then see where the dips are and try fill the dips/level that way ... you can even use a pice of steel pipe or similar

once you get it more level, get a heavy steel roller and roll it ... then roll it again at 90 degrees to the first pass ... if you dont have a roller, they are cheap to hire for a day and some allow you to fill with water to make it heavier

once you have seeded, use the roller again, ... you only need to roll once, so as to 'press' the seeds into the soil ...

then buy a few bags of John Innes #3 compost and using your hand, throw/broadcast the compost so as to cover the seed (you don't need to cover deep, perhaps 1mm or a bit less ... this ensures that the germination rate is better and also stops pigeons and birds eating the seed before they germinate)

[Greenleaves]

How to Level and Seed a Lawn: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Might help you?

[Nicos]

^^^ that's a bit like laying concrete!!

I have done much the same as in #2 but walk up and down on planks of wood to finally flatten it

[dim]

gee .... the example posted is more like levelling for a bowling green ..

imagine using that method if you have 600 square meters to seed

[ButternutSquash]

I completely renovated my lawn, and I levelled it out using a rake. It's not perfect, but most is pretty good. It wasn't easy, and needed a fair bit of welly. I'd be wary of compacting the lawn, maybe best to not flatten it, just scrape it level. And don't worry too much unless you are creating a croquet pitch.

As a thought, what is your soil like? And how big is the lawn? And is the rake any good? I used a Wolf Garten one, I like their stuff, bulldog are good too.

[Nicos]

It's important to get it fairly flat, otherwise the lawn mower will leave some bits long and shave the tops off other parts.
Certainly worth faffing about over if you ask me !

[Greenleaves]

gee .... the example posted is more like levelling for a bowling green ..

imagine using that method if you have 600 square meters to seed

I suppose it depends on the type of lawn you want dim....it was about concept rather than must do

[4390evans]

its quite long Id say about 60 feet by 20?
Im wanting it as flat as possible so Ill have a bash with the wood thing tomorrow, neighbours will think im crazier than they already thought!

Thanks guys
Jen