Effects. Smothering grass with a thick soil covering can kill the grass completely, but it is a slow process, especially if the grass is perennial and grows by aggressive stolon stems or fleshy roots.

It’s best to fill the depression in such a way that it goes from a low spot to a slightly humped one. Moor says this allows the soil to settle into place and create a more level area. Mixing gravel, stones, or broken bricks in with the soil can help add extra stability to the site.

To fill in lawn ruts and holes, blend planting soil with sand and/or compost. Usually blending equal parts of each material forms a mix that allows grass to root effectively through the mix into existing soil. Check with your local extension agent or garden center for specific soil recommendations for your area.

(Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches thick quite easily.) Once you add more than 3 or 4 inches of soil, the amount of weeds and grass that will grow through starts to drop off dramatically. This picture shows the new sod, old lawn, and the soil over top of the old lawn. Blending lawn requires patience.

The greenkeepers apply a thin layer of finely graded sand or soil to the top of the grass and work it down towards the roots. The main purpose of it in this context is to create the perfect playing surface. But it can also help to control thatch, weeds and diseases.

Timing Topsoil Topdressing a lawn puts enough strain on the grass that it could kill part or all of the grass. The best time to add topsoil to a lawn is a few weeks after the grass has begun growing actively. Growing grass recovers from the strain of new soil more effectively than dormant grass.

What’s the Best Way to Smooth Out a Bumpy Lawn?

1. Set your lawn mower to a low setting.
2. Remove thatch on your lawn with a garden rake.
3. With the use of a shovel, apply scoops of fresh topsoil to low areas of your lawn.
4. Use a core aerator over the lawn.
5. You will have to repeat the soil application process on the following year.

Several distinct advantages make fall the best time to plant cool-season grass seed. In early autumn, the soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate day temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown cool-season grass seed.

The simple answer is, yes. Beyond just throwing the seed out into the lawn and not performing any grass maintenance there is a whole world of lawn care. Even though the seeds will sprout if just thrown on the surface of the dirt there are negative effects of planting the seed in that fashion.

Older, established lawns like ours become rough and uneven over time, because the turfgrass compacts and thins. Freezing and thawing of the ground from season to season lifts up or “heaves” the soil, also making the surface bumpy. Animals digging through the lawn can also cause problems.

Yes, you can temporarily disguise bald patches in your lawn by laying new turf on top of it. AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last.