How to Level a Bumpy Lawn

It may sound like a pretty strange phenomenon, but a common issue in lawns is for the area to start developing bumps or lumps.

If you’ve not faced this issue before, it can be a pretty surprising occurrence! But don’t worry, with the right maintenance in place, you can quickly address the issue, and get your lawn back to its usual, immaculate finish.

Below, we’ve shared our quick guide on how to flatten a lawn (either a garden lawn, or any large grass area) that has bumps or lumps.

Bumpy lawn

Why is my lawn bumpy?

A bumpy lawn is actually quite a common issue, and it could be due to one of a number of reasons.

Common causes of uneven lawns include:

Soil that has been compacted unevenly (due to heavy foot traffic, vehicles or machinery)
Colder weather (causing the soil to go through a freeze-thaw cycle, where it expands and contracts)
Soil erosion (typically due to periods of heavy rain)
The presence of burrowing animals (like moles or voles)
A high presence of pests, disturbing the soil
The buildup of decaying organic matter, such as roots or dead grass
Soil that has started to settle unevenly (this most commonly occurs just after it has been laid)

By understanding what is causing this issue in your lawn, you can quickly address it, and prevent the problem from re-emerging in the future.

When is the best time to flatten my lawn?

If your lawn is bumpy, then you will need to manually flatten it (we’ve covered the most effective methods for this below).

But, to get the best results, we recommend flattening your lawn in spring or early Autumn. This is because, at these times of year, temperatures are more mild, but the lawn will still have sufficient moisture for the process to work. Attempting to flatten your lawn on a day that’s too hot, too dry, or too wet could damage the lawn.

Best methods to flatten your lawn

Below, we’ve shared two simple and effective methods that you can use to flatten your lawn.

Rolling the lawn

You will need:

A lawn roller

Method:

Lightly water your lawn
Fill a lawn roller with water
Push the lawn roller across your entire lawn
After a few weeks, repeat the process (if needed)

Aerating and topdressing the lawn

You will need:

A suitable topdressing mix
A manual lawn aerator
A shovel
A rake

Method:

Find the low spots in your lawn.
Use the aerator to aerate these areas of soil.
Add your topdressing mix to the low spots.
Use a rake to evenly spread the topdressing across the area, and blend the mixture with the soil.
Lightly water the soil.
Repeat the process after a month, if needed.

Once the issue has been addressed – or as part of your regular lawn maintenance routine – you can implement some effective ways to prevent lawn bumps.

Simple ways to avoid lawn bumps include:

Choosing nutrient-rich soil
Regularly clearing your lawn of debris and decaying organic matter (especially before planting or laying)
Avoiding over-watering your soil
During seeding or laying, correctly compacting your soil
Regularly aerating your soil
Ensuring any pests or burrowing animals are discouraged

Buckley Turf are lawn turf specialists, with over 50 years of experience in turf supply and turf laying.

So, if you have any questions about proper lawn care, or want to enlist our skilled team to keep your lawn looking at its best, don’t hesitate to get in touch.