I manage a commercial rental property that had a pretty rough lawn for about 10 years before I took over. After 4 years of ownership, I'm really tired of dealing with how uneven and bumpy it is—it's about 0.7 acres in size. I'm wondering if using sand is truly the best method for leveling my lawn, since I've heard that once you start with sand, you can't go back to anything else. I'm not looking for perfection, just a smoother surface. My lawn is so uneven that rolling it won't help. If sand is the way to go, what's the best way to apply it? I have access to a compact tractor with a box blade, but I'm uncertain if that'll do the trick. Should I consider renting or buying a land plane instead, or would a drag work better for spreading the sand without causing damage?
3 Answers
In my experience, topsoil tends to work better than sand, especially if you're dealing with deeper spots. Just apply a layer of topsoil and reseed the lawn; it helps the grass grow through better. Plus, in my area, sand can make it a bit trickier to keep your lawn well-watered.
Instead of sand, you might want to try mixing in about 25% compost with your soil. This can really help improve the lawn's texture and also adds some nutrients to encourage better growth. Just something to think about depending on costs and your lawn's specific needs!
Using an asphalt roller can be super effective! I usually rent one in the spring when the soil is soft. Just cut your grass short, mark the low spots, and fill those in with sand to grade. The roller really helps flatten everything out. You should be able to find these at most rental places.