## Levelling a lawn with topdressing Topdressing is a good way to level **minor dips, hollows and uneven patches** in a lawn. It is best done gradually, rather than trying to correct everything in one heavy application. As it is late September, this is a very suitable time in the UK, provided the lawn is not waterlogged. The soil is still warm, there is usually more moisture around, and the grass should still be growing enough to recover. --- ## 1. Use the right topdressing mix For lawn levelling, use a dry mix of: - **50% good-quality loam-based topsoil** - **50% free-draining sand** Mix it thoroughly before applying. A driveway, patio or wheelbarrow is useful for blending it evenly. The mix needs to be dry and crumbly so it brushes down between the grass blades rather than sitting in lumps. --- ## 2. Prepare the lawn first Before applying the topdressing: - **Mow the lawn fairly short**, but do not scalp it. - **Rake out moss, loose thatch and debris** if present. - **Spike compacted areas** with a garden fork to help air, water and dressing move into the soil. - If the lawn is thin, have some grass seed ready for overseeding afterwards. This preparation helps the topdressing settle into the surface rather than forming a layer on top. --- ## 3. Apply on a dry day Choose a **dry day** when the grass is also dry. Scatter the mix lightly across the lawn using a shovel or spade. Put a little extra into the hollows, but avoid burying the grass. The key rule is: **Always leave the grass tips visible.** If you cover the grass completely, it can smother and die back. --- ## 4. Brush it into the lawn Use a stiff broom, lawn lute, drag mat or the back of a rake to work the dressing into the sward. Brush in several directions so the mix settles: - between the grass blades - into shallow hollows - around the grass crowns - into small gaps in the surface The lawn should look lightly dusted, not buried. --- ## 5. Build up low areas gradually For shallow dips, one application may help. For more noticeable hollows, repeat the process over several weeks or across the growing season. Several light dressings are much better than one thick layer. As a guide: - **Up to 5–10 mm** can usually be applied at a time. - For deeper hollows, build up gradually. - If a dip is more than about **25–30 mm deep**, it is usually better to lift the turf, add soil underneath, firm it, relay the turf and water it in. --- ## 6. Overseed thin patches After brushing in the topdressing, scatter grass seed over thin or bare areas. Then lightly brush or rake again so the seed has contact with the topdressing. Keep the area moist while the seed germinates. In September, overseeding usually works well because the soil is still warm and there is less summer drought stress. --- ## 7. Water and aftercare After topdressing: - Water lightly if rain is not expected. - Keep the lawn slightly moist while grass seed establishes. - Avoid heavy foot traffic for a couple of weeks. - Continue mowing once the grass is growing strongly again. - Feed during the growing season if the lawn needs strengthening. A general fertiliser such as Growmore can be used during active growth, but avoid pushing too much soft growth late in autumn. --- ## When topdressing is not enough Topdressing is ideal for **minor to moderate unevenness**. If the lawn is very bumpy, badly sunken, or uneven across the whole area, a more direct repair may be needed. That could involve lifting sections of turf, adjusting the soil level underneath, then relaying the turf. For a very uneven lawn, using a turf cutter to lift the turf and relevel the soil may give a much better long-term finish. You can also refer to the GardenAdvice lawn notes here: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/helens-chester-garden/1047-2/ A steady, light-touch approach works best — level a little at a time, keep the grass growing, and the lawn will gradually become smoother and easier to mow.