Hey everyone! I recently removed a few concrete slabs (about 10 ft x 8 ft total) and filled the area with 1.5 tons of dirt back in November. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to continue working on it, and now the dirt has compacted due to foot traffic and rain. I still need to level and slope the dirt before I can add sand, base panels, and pavers. What are some easy methods or tools I can use to loosen up a few inches of this dirt by hand so I can redistribute it as needed? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
You might want to rent a rototiller for a day; that can really speed things up. If that's not an option, look for a digging fork designed for loosening soil—it's usually used in gardening, so you might find one easily.
I picked up a Mantis tiller, and it's fantastic for jobs like this, plus it's great for gardening! They aren't too pricey either, so it might be worth considering.
Using a little electric tiller is awesome for loosening up compacted dirt. After that, you can drag a wooden pallet over the area a few times to help level it out before you seed. Just a heads up, take some ibuprofen beforehand—you might feel it afterward!
A pick or a digging bar paired with a shovel can work wonders too if you prefer a more manual approach. It'll definitely take some elbow grease, but it's effective!
Looks like I'm in for a workout!
Haha, noted! Sounds like good advice!