How to Level Ground: An Easy Guide for Beginners

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Create a smooth, level base with these DIY steps
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Whether you want a perfectly smooth lawn, you’re leveling the ground under a new structure, or you want to get rid of holes that could be dangerous when you’re mowing the grass, leveling the ground can seem like a big job. It can be hard work, but it’s definitely a doable DIY project. We’re here with everything you need to know to get the job done, plus expert tips from professional landscapers and lawn care specialists to help you feel confident about getting started.

Best Way to Level Ground

If you are leveling a small area, you can tamp the soil using your foot and the bottom of your rake. If you are leveling a large area, or it is especially important to keep the ground level (such as if you are building a structure), get a tamper or plate compactor to compact the soil. Let it settle and use a straight plank or level to confirm it's perfectly even.

Section 1 of 4:

Leveling the Ground

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  1. 1
    Remove any debris and mow the grass. First, clear out any large rocks, limbs, or other items that are in the area you want to level. Then, home improvement specialist Keith Souza recommends mowing the grass “as low as you can.” It will be a lot easier to see where the uneven areas are with the grass cut. [1]
    • Dethatch your lawn if the thatch is more than 1 ⁄ 2  in (1.3 cm) thick. The thatch is the layer of live and dead grass right above your soil. If it’s more than about 1 ⁄ 4 – 1 ⁄ 2  in (0.64–1.27 cm) thick, comb the area with a thatch rake to clear out that layer. For very large areas, you may need to rent a dethatching machine.
    • To avoid accidentally hitting a water, sewer, or power line, landscaper Matt Daly advises, “Always call your local utility company before you start digging or leveling your yard.” [2]
  2. Landscaper Tony Hoang says, “Put stakes around the area you need to level, then place strings around the stakes and use a level to make sure the strings are level all the way.” If the strings aren’t level, these are the areas where you’ll need to add or remove dirt. [3]
    • According to general contractor Melissa Gabso, you can also lay a straight wooden plank across the ground to help you see any gaps that need to be filled in. [4]
    • If you’re leveling a specific area, like for a shed or a pool, mark the edges with stakes and string.
    • Adjust the grade of your land to help combat drainage problems. Landscaper Benjamin Hansen recommends a grade of 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) for every 1 ft (0.30 m) of ground that you’re leveling, especially if you’re leveling the ground to build a structure like a shed.
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  3. Dig down beneath the grass with the tip of a shovel. Try to get about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of the grass roots beneath the surface, especially if you’d like to re-use the grass instead of seeding the area. Continue removing dirt until you have a roughly uniform surface—it’s okay if it isn’t level yet. [5]
    • If you’re filling in a small hole and don’t need to use much topdressing, you may not need to excavate the area or remove any grass. In that case, only use a 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) layer of topdressing so the grass won’t die.
    • If you leave the grass, the ground level may sink some as the grass dies and decomposes.
    • If you’re building a structure like a shed, landscaper Grant Wallace recommends excavating down about 6–12 in (15–30 cm) and laying down a rock layer. That will create a sturdier base that won’t shift or erode. [6]
  4. 4
    Move dirt from any high areas to low areas. If you’re only leveling a small area, you may be able to use a shovel or leveling rake to move dirt from any areas that are higher than the rest of the ground you’re leveling. Move this dirt to an area where more dirt is needed. [7]
    • For slightly larger areas, it may be easier to run a wooden plank across the dirt to smooth it out in long, smooth passes.
    • If you’re leveling a large area, you may need to rent a roller. You can also attach a leveling rake or weighed-down pallet to a riding mower and pull it across the area repeatedly until it’s level.
    • If you don’t need the dirt to fill in any low areas, Wallace advises removing the excess dirt with a wheelbarrow. [8]
  5. 5
    Fill in low areas with a topdressing of topsoil, compost, and/or sand. The exact composition of your topsoil will depend on how much ground you have to cover and what will be going on the ground afterwards. For instance:
    • If you want to grow grass in this area, the cover will need to be nutrient-rich, so mix compost or fertilizer into your soil. [9] You may also want to add a little sand to provide structure and help keep the ground from compounding.
    • If you’re leveling for a pool , shed, or other structure you might prefer a gravel layer topped with sand. [10] Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations if you’re leveling for a pool.
    • If you’re only filling in a few small patches, Souza recommends using sand because “it’s easy to work with.”
  6. If you’re leveling a small area, use a garden rake to spread the material evenly. Use your level periodically so you’ll know when the ground is perfectly even.
    • If you have a large area to cover, rent ground-moving equipment from your local hardware store. They will be able to advise you on what will work best for your property.
  7. If you are leveling a small area, tamp the soil using your foot and the bottom of your rake. If you are leveling a large area, or if it’s especially important to keep the ground level (such as if you are building a structure), get a tamper or plate compactor to compact the soil. [11]
  8. Give the soil at least 48 hours to settle properly, if not several days or weeks. Mist the area with water if your area does not get rainfall during that time. [12]
    • After a few days have passed, use a level to make sure the ground is still level. If it’s settled too much, add more soil as needed.
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Section 2 of 4:

Regrowing the Grass

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  1. If you are intending to reintroduce grass to that area, you will need to buy grass seed that is appropriate for your needs and the area in which you live. [13] To sow the seeds , use a seed spreader or lightly toss the grass seeds evenly across the ground.
    • Don’t toss the seeds down in clumps—try to broadcast them uniformly across the whole area you’re re-seeding.
    • You can also buy sod if you are impatient or want a particularly uniform appearance.
  2. Lightly cover the seeds with a sprinkling of topsoil or gently rake the seeds into the soil. Don’t cover the seeds completely, just make sure they have good seed-to-soil contact while still being exposed to air. [14] Run your sprinklers to water the seeds—keep the area damp until the grass starts to grow.
    • After the grass grows in, reseed any areas where the grass isn’t full or even enough for your satisfaction.
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Section 3 of 4:

How do I know if I need to level my lawn?

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  1. After a heavy rain, look in your yard for any areas with standing water. These areas are probably lower than the rest of your yard, so leveling may be useful. You can also check the area with a straight plank—lay the plank across an area in your yard and either visually check for any gaps under the board or use a bubble level to determine if the area is flat. Common reasons that you may need to level your yard include:
    • You’ve had trees, stumps, or roots removed
    • You’ve had a sewer or drain installed
    • Animals have damaged your yard
    • You’re building a structure that needs to be level, like a pool or shed
Section 4 of 4:

Is it better to level a lawn with sand or topsoil?

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  1. It really depends on your lawn's size and natural composition. If the soil is naturally sandy in your area or you’re only filling in small areas, sand can be a good option for top dressing a lawn. However, opt for topsoil if your soil is not sand or you need to cover a large area. [15]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How should I level the ground before building a shed?
    Benjamin Hansen
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.
    Benjamin Hansen
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Expert Answer
    We tend to always go with the rule of thumb that for any slab on grade, meaning any concrete that we pour for a shed to be built around, we want to make sure that there's drainage without any problems. Even though the shed is covered, we would still recommend doing a quarter-inch of a drop per foot when we grade for a shed. Now there are different variances of that—you could do even less. But a good rule of thumb would be a quarter-inch per linear foot of a drop so water will be able to move away.
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  • Question
    Can I use a string level for a distance of 40 feet?
    Community Answer
    Yes, 40 or 400 feet. You want to stake off intervals of 10 feet to keep leveling consistent. Be mindful of the 1" per 4' rule away from the house for drainage purposes.
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  • Question
    Can you explain the 1" per 4' rule more clearly?
    Community Answer
    If you start with your back to your home's outside wall, when you walk 4 feet into your yard, you should end on ground that is 1 inch lower than the ground at your outside wall. It's to make sure water is encouraged to flow away from your house and foundations, preventing flooding or water damage to your foundation/building.
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      References

      1. ↑ Keith Souza. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 Aug 2021.
      2. ↑ Matt Daly. Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 13 Oct 2022.
      3. ↑ Tony Hoang. Landscaping Manager. Expert Interview. 1 Nov 2022.
      4. ↑ Melissa & Michael Gabso. Remodel & Redesign Experts. Expert Interview. 7 Oct 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.wirefence.co.uk/level-ground-chicken-coop/
      6. ↑ Grant Wallace. Landscaper. Expert Interview. 3 Jan 2023.
      7. ↑ https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/how-to-level-land-for-building/
      8. ↑ Grant Wallace. Landscaper. Expert Interview. 3 Jan 2023.
      9. ↑ https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/how-to-level-land-for-building/
      1. ↑ https://www.wirefence.co.uk/level-ground-chicken-coop/
      2. ↑ https://www.wirefence.co.uk/level-ground-chicken-coop/
      3. ↑ https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/how-to-level-land-for-building/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/B-o9WKQGGM0?t=124
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/B-o9WKQGGM0?t=163
      6. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/topdressing-a-home-lawn/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To level ground, start by using strings attached to stakes set at the height where you would like the ground to sit to see how much dirt you will need to put down. Then, remove any existing grass from the area, and use a shovel to add an even layer of ground cover. Spread the material with a rake and use a level and measuring tape to check the grade of the land. Carefully tamp the soil down to make it flat, and let it settle for 2 days. For more tips, including how to regrow grass, scroll down!

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