How to Level Your Lawn the Easy Way. | Lawn Leveling with Topsoil | Front Yard Renovation

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  • Опубликовано: 15 ноя 2024
  • Level your lawn and make it smooth and nice to mow again! If you have a bumpy lawn, this lawn leveling guide is great for anyone with small or medium size lawns. And it's especially useful if you plan on doing it alone.
    Here's the gorilla cart I used in this video: amzn.to/3wJ4AH3 (for those wondering)
    A special lawn leveling tool is not required to level your lawn this way. Common tools are only needed: a shovel, a rake, a 12 or 16 foot 2x4, some stakes and a cart for hauling the topsoil. I use metal stakes but wooden stakes will work just fine. As you will see, I also will use a few 1” pvc pipes and a metal fence post as part of the leveling “hack.”
    If you're looking to renovate your lawn and need inspiration, I hope this video will help you address your topsoil issues before you seed. It was a super fun experience leveling my lawn and making this video!
    Keep in mind, if the lawn isn't level as you sow the seed, it will be MANY months after you lay down the seed before you can come back with soil and correct any bumpiness.
    Also, if your soil is not very fertile, adding rich topsoil before you plant grass seed is critical to the germination and survival of your tender seedlings.
    Please leave a comment below in the comment section! I would love to hear your feedback!
    And don't forget to subscribe if you would like to see more content like the kind in this video!

Комментарии • 299

  • @Lobo59470
    @Lobo59470 Год назад +6

    You should win an award for this simple trick I’m obsessed

  • @davidfield8125
    @davidfield8125 Год назад +35

    As a film teacher I can safely say someone who knows what they are doing produced, shot and edited this video. Beautiful. On top of that these are the best techniques and instructions I’ve seen for managing a controlled grading of soil. Really great. Thank you.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  Год назад +1

      Thank you! Quite the complement and it’s very much appreciated!

  • @1968Olympica
    @1968Olympica 7 месяцев назад +3

    While caring for my mom, then needing a hip replacement, I let my 4,000sq ft backyard get overgrown with the eventual goal of clearing it (1949 home). I'm clearing and prepping it for landscaping with weed cloth, but wanted to know how to level the soil. O'm'gosh, thank you for this concise + simple demo using tools that everyone has!

  • @jackieniederheitmann3218
    @jackieniederheitmann3218 3 года назад +104

    You made this so ridiculously easy compared to some of these other guys with the leveling rake. Gah! Thank you! This single mom's dreaded project is now gonna be way easier :)

    • @creamyalmondz
      @creamyalmondz 3 года назад +4

      We’re both single moms, keep us updated on progress! I’m waiting for my top soil to be delivered.

    • @housiedooze8889
      @housiedooze8889 Год назад +1

      How did this work out for you two?

    • @emmajaramillo9160
      @emmajaramillo9160 Год назад

      @@housiedooze8889 i’m so curious too

    • @emmajaramillo9160
      @emmajaramillo9160 Год назад

      how did this turn out for y’all ?

  • @mr.l6982
    @mr.l6982 9 месяцев назад +1

    I like the 2x4 leveling idea. Good for normal homeowners !

  • @jacobmorales8435
    @jacobmorales8435 2 года назад +3

    Give this man a Bob The Builder Show!!

  • @392_RHINO
    @392_RHINO 3 года назад +3

    Smart man. I just used a tiller on my lawn and now I need to level it out so I came to the right spot

  • @michellemacca149
    @michellemacca149 Год назад +4

    I am trying to level my very dry hard clay covered ground 🥵 by myself, by hand... love this idea.. you saved me a ton of guess work 🙌

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  Год назад +1

      It’s really difficult work, but the results are worth it!

  • @Nancy-xg9nc
    @Nancy-xg9nc 11 месяцев назад +1

    I felt your dread when that rain came!
    Great video....thanks!🎉

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  11 месяцев назад +1

      Thanks for watching! Yes, I remember feeling worried that some of it would wash away!

  • @jenniferdrake2360
    @jenniferdrake2360 Год назад +2

    Your voice is so calming and gentle 😊

  • @samsrauy8837
    @samsrauy8837 8 месяцев назад

    My goodness. Basically he’s using the strategy of getting concrete level. You are a genius

  • @carolinafine8050
    @carolinafine8050 3 года назад +23

    It’s pretty cool how you go into such detail. So many of the yard repair channels cover so much information in such a compressed amount of time that you don’t really get what they’re saying.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад +4

      Thanks! Thanks for watching and I appreciate the feedback!

    • @carolinafine8050
      @carolinafine8050 3 года назад

      @@jasongarringer12 I hope you get many subs.

    • @monkeysonboards
      @monkeysonboards 3 года назад +2

      I AGREE I was thinking the same thing

  • @robintaylor321
    @robintaylor321 6 месяцев назад

    Your voice is so soothing! Came here to learn but might also be able to fall asleep too. Thank you!

  • @pebbles2482
    @pebbles2482 3 года назад +1

    OK, well my husband passed away in 2016 n then I realized that our yard needed leveling. Tired of hurting my knees with the sudden jerk of bumps while mowing the lawn. Thank you so much for this much needed information. Sorry it rained on you.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад

      Thank you for watching. Give it a little time and effort in your lawn will be back in shape in no time!

  • @dimanoma416
    @dimanoma416 3 года назад +10

    been looking for an approach like this for months. Much appreciated!

  • @nathanmitchell2827
    @nathanmitchell2827 2 года назад +2

    Of all the things I wish I could afford to pay somebody to do, leveling and grading large areas would be the one thing I would pay somebody to do. I’m prepping a large area for pavers, and it is a BEAST

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  2 года назад +1

      Yes. Hopefully you’re not in the same time. Be safe and good luck!

  • @ezymedianetwork193
    @ezymedianetwork193 2 года назад +2

    Beautiful content I love the way you talk.

  • @TheRealKRUE
    @TheRealKRUE 2 года назад +6

    Shout out to your editing skills!

  • @mickeyhughes7244
    @mickeyhughes7244 2 года назад +2

    Great leveling technique with the 4" x 2" ..50/50 mix is perfect, I use the same here in the UK 🇬🇧

    • @mickeyhughes7244
      @mickeyhughes7244 2 года назад

      I have to add...as soon as I mentioned the UK 🇬🇧 in my comment the heaven's opened with a downpour 🤣

  • @kylemjohnson
    @kylemjohnson 3 года назад +107

    Awesome way to level it out to uniform. One thing you could do is instead of using the two stake, drill a one inch hole in the 2 by 4 and use one stake as the pivot point. Just a thought.

    • @mauricelee7299
      @mauricelee7299 2 года назад +4

      I was thinking the same thing.

    • @aquienpuedainteresar4188
      @aquienpuedainteresar4188 2 года назад +8

      Genius level brother.

    • @_xmds_
      @_xmds_ Год назад

      Yup

    • @josephduncan9910
      @josephduncan9910 Год назад

      It will jam when you lift it though. Hole would need to be bigger or stake smaller.

    • @Ryan_hey
      @Ryan_hey 7 месяцев назад

      Could also leave it untouched so the 2x4 can be used for something else after.

  • @RiooDeeJanerio
    @RiooDeeJanerio 2 года назад +1

    First video as you...your straight to the point thanks mister 🥰 for the videoI needed this going to Lowes right now my car made holes in backyard due to rain and getting stuck......... I'm doing this now cost nothing for real

  • @matytj5738
    @matytj5738 3 года назад +12

    I’ve been looking for something simple like this. Thank you so much for sharing this technique with us!

  • @MAYBEMAYBS
    @MAYBEMAYBS 2 года назад +3

    Wow. Best method ever. Simple, accurate and quick! Been struggling with an unleveled yard and today is the day..Thank you.

    • @jamestaylor7479
      @jamestaylor7479 Год назад

      Excellent! Simple, easy to do and very, very accurate. Thank you!

  • @seecesar
    @seecesar Год назад +1

    Awesome way to level the dirt! I would recommend throwing down some gypsum before and after to anyone who is doing something like this. Also, that added soil will go down a lot so you'll have to add more down the line.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  Год назад +1

      True. Thanks, Cesar. Lawn leveling is definitely NOT a “do-it-once” activity. Over time, tweaking will be required.

  • @ActiveJoe
    @ActiveJoe 2 года назад +1

    A nice simple way to use easily available items to smooth out an area in the yard for the lawn. Very clever thanks for Sharing Jason.
    All the best and God Bless. 🙏❤🇺🇸

  • @RussFedorov
    @RussFedorov 3 года назад +5

    dang bro, your video quality and music is just like a tv show, i love it!

  • @corndonkey77
    @corndonkey77 Год назад +2

    First video I found! Gonna try this with new raised beds on a slope! Will let u know how it goes.

  • @jcrobledo31
    @jcrobledo31 7 месяцев назад +2

    You are a the man!! Im motivated and ready to start my project

  • @retyifourthree6929
    @retyifourthree6929 Месяц назад

    damn that is a good idea. it’s kind of like spreading icing on a cake or many other similar things, where you just use a long flat edge to guide it all into place. i don’t know why i didn’t think of this.

  • @dg7729
    @dg7729 2 года назад +1

    Thks sooo muchhh gonna really make my hideous yard quite dapper

  • @kadeemgray93
    @kadeemgray93 8 месяцев назад

    This is a professional video. Great work.

  • @fpdima
    @fpdima 2 года назад +1

    Hey Jason - GREAT idea using those stakes as pivots.

  • @punanamousme8486
    @punanamousme8486 Год назад

    He has a soothing voice...

  • @azamqayyum
    @azamqayyum 3 года назад +2

    Simply the best video how to level the ground

  • @Inpreesme
    @Inpreesme 2 года назад

    I find the extended viewing time of watching you put on your gloves fascinating.

  • @jhunnjr.6423
    @jhunnjr.6423 4 месяца назад

    thank you for the ideas, i love it... more videos sir Jason... im from Philippines

  • @francisgaray9016
    @francisgaray9016 3 года назад +6

    I like the quality of your videos, and how practical you are! Thanks for sharing. I'll use similar techniques. :D

  • @js100percent2
    @js100percent2 10 месяцев назад +1

    Very well done and video well put together my friend

  • @brucemichelsen5830
    @brucemichelsen5830 3 года назад

    I’ve honestly never seen someone screed dirt before but this is a good idea if someone can’t see or rake level by eye.

  • @ryancam5922
    @ryancam5922 Год назад +1

    Really hard work. You are great

  • @alanahunt371
    @alanahunt371 2 года назад +16

    Love the video!! Quick question - what would I do if the lawn ALREADY has grass? My garden is really uneven and I want to get it sorted for the summer, but the grass is completely fine. It’s just really bumpy

    • @oldmanronan8473
      @oldmanronan8473 2 года назад +1

      you've probably already finished this project. But 1 solution would be to get a good sharp shovel and cut the grass out in strips roll it out level the ground and then put the grass on after. But realistically grass seed is very cheap it won't hurt to just dig up the grass and start fresh.

  • @eduardojuarez9627
    @eduardojuarez9627 Год назад

    Great technique I’ll apply it on my next project thanks

  • @NymtheRobot1984
    @NymtheRobot1984 Год назад

    Super helpful thanks a lot for the technique. Gonna help me a lot when making my patio.

  • @bradshadbradshaw8319
    @bradshadbradshaw8319 3 года назад +2

    Great video. Clear, calm presentation.

  • @TacoBell5DollarBox
    @TacoBell5DollarBox 3 года назад +3

    Thank you for the video. I'm probably going to do something like this over the weekend

  • @TigerLilyGzzTLRoars
    @TigerLilyGzzTLRoars Год назад

    Oh wow. Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

  • @patrickwilliams1886
    @patrickwilliams1886 Месяц назад

    You a beast bro. I suck at yard work

  • @kiahlane
    @kiahlane 3 года назад +3

    Your voice is so soothing.

  • @Srdjana-
    @Srdjana- Год назад +1

    A Tiller would break that clay sand mixture up, and then you add in the top soil and level and it would produce a great soil mixture base for seedlings.
    I love the board trick though.

  • @onetruesoldiervt3686
    @onetruesoldiervt3686 3 года назад +3

    Great job 👏 the last thing you wanna do is fill low spots afterwards thanks for this tip

  • @jaquan3571
    @jaquan3571 2 года назад +1

    Hot damn...wonder why I didn't think of this :) Great Video!!

  • @cruzl2977
    @cruzl2977 Год назад

    That dirt prob smelling real nice in the rain. Thanks for the video and thunder

  • @padroooo
    @padroooo 3 года назад +1

    If you want anything done right do it yourself. I like it. Are you a concrete contractor, I have seen these techniques used by them.

  • @mabryfamily1720
    @mabryfamily1720 2 года назад

    Loved the ending 😂

  • @andyleclerc1843
    @andyleclerc1843 Год назад

    Thats clever af😂 thanks dude!

  • @JamesWard3
    @JamesWard3 3 года назад +1

    Genius Method!

  • @Anonymousbluestar
    @Anonymousbluestar 2 года назад +1

    Awesome brother....keep it up

  • @sklee1644
    @sklee1644 2 года назад

    This is a brilliant idea to level.

  • @sklee1644
    @sklee1644 2 года назад +1

    This is brilliant idea.

  • @TeslaBoy123
    @TeslaBoy123 2 года назад +1

    Cool a lot heavy labor involved 👍

  • @steffen707-
    @steffen707- 3 года назад +2

    This is awesome! I did a 20x24 crushed granite pad this way. made a 24' long wooden "I beam" with a level pad in the middle. Filled with dirt, leveled, vibratory compacted it, then crushed granite, leveled, compacted. Looks awesome. Nice video!

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад +2

      Thanks Steffen! Sounds like your project turned out nice too?

  • @HS-qf5of
    @HS-qf5of 3 года назад +4

    Thank you for this video. I have a large but irregularly shaped area to level and I was confounded by the task. Your method is so simple. I also appreciate the videography and the editing. The shot at the window looking at the rain made this a step beyond the average guy You Tube Video and I thought it was cool that you included a storytelling element!

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад

      Thanks! The goal isn’t just to educate but also make it entertaining if possible. Thanks for the appreciation!

    • @1ozzyatx
      @1ozzyatx 8 месяцев назад

      @@jasongarringer12what seed did you throw?

  • @clist9406
    @clist9406 2 года назад

    Simple but brilliant idea . I would have been there for hours trying to rake it level and still have waves

  • @Khualtanghau01
    @Khualtanghau01 2 года назад +1

    nice cart

  • @donotchangepassword9695
    @donotchangepassword9695 4 месяца назад

    best leveling video i've seen thanks. Do you think soil should be lower than concrete sidewalk or walk way. I find mine is higher and erodes when it rains.

  • @zyloq4958
    @zyloq4958 2 года назад +2

    This guys voice so soothing

  • @kokyaw
    @kokyaw 2 года назад +4

    Great video. Do you also use a lawn roller (the drum that fills with water and roll) to compact the top soil down a bit (so that it won't wash away during rain)?

  • @sarahpinski6886
    @sarahpinski6886 2 года назад +2

    I love your voice

  • @alieb580
    @alieb580 2 года назад

    Thank you for the video, now I feel I can do it

  • @joeschlotthauer840
    @joeschlotthauer840 3 года назад +6

    You could put two eye bolts in the end of the 2x4 and just use maybe less stakes...

  • @lindaaltern5732
    @lindaaltern5732 Год назад

    Great content ❤

  • @mustangrebuilder
    @mustangrebuilder 3 года назад +1

    great job

  • @gabrielsatter
    @gabrielsatter Год назад

    You know you're going to lose the cul de sac lawn battle when dude brings entire new soil in every year.😅

  • @tylersowa9601
    @tylersowa9601 3 года назад +3

    If I had to guess, I’d say you are clearly a paver/block layer at heart

  • @davidjalof77
    @davidjalof77 2 года назад +1

    Very smart 👌🏽

  • @nosleepdelirium1214
    @nosleepdelirium1214 Год назад

    Thank you! So simple

  • @bhaldeman4727
    @bhaldeman4727 2 года назад +1

    Thank you for the great video. When is it necessary to dig up old grass or a weedy lawn before putting down the fresh topsoil? What is the best way to do that? I noticed in your video that your front yard was fairly bare but the back had some patchy grass.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  2 года назад +3

      Great question! If your adding lots of topsoil in the fall, (AND you have a warm season grass like me,) it’s usually advised just to simply scalp the grass down to the dirt level and lay the soil directly on top. The reason is because in the fall, temperatures are getting cooler, and the warm season grass is about to go dormant anyway. Dormant grass that gets covered with topsoil will just be smothered away. It will save you a lot of work tilling up the soil and removing the grass. The most common warm season grass includes Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, buffalo grass, and Saint Augustine. If you have any other type of grass, like the kind of grass that stays green in the cold, let me know and I can give you more advice.

  • @lauralosieniecki4418
    @lauralosieniecki4418 2 года назад

    Great job!👏

  • @THUNDERVOLT-og7pr
    @THUNDERVOLT-og7pr Год назад +1

    that intro made me feel like i was watching tv

  • @RouteCombo
    @RouteCombo 4 года назад +1

    Jason!! You are the man

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  4 года назад +1

      No!! YOU are the man!! You are doing well I see!!!

  • @JoeCooper-b4t
    @JoeCooper-b4t 3 месяца назад

    Cool ideas. You don't feel and need to compact between layers?

  • @Joaquin77
    @Joaquin77 2 года назад

    I really love the pivot application. I was thinking about my own version would be using a threaded rod spike and a nut that can be moved up and down to set the hight you need and maybe the metal pipe add a closed hook to the end that can be slided in the threaded rod and you can get 360 rotation movement, just thinking out loud.. great video man

  • @italianjob-vx6hp
    @italianjob-vx6hp 3 года назад +1

    Damned weather!!!

  • @LatinBostonH8ter79
    @LatinBostonH8ter79 2 года назад +1

    That ground is exactly what I have under my top soil once you down a few inches. It takes a ton of work to break through it all.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  2 года назад +1

      They say a liquid aeration can help but I don’t have any experience with it.

    • @LatinBostonH8ter79
      @LatinBostonH8ter79 2 года назад +1

      @@jasongarringer12 looking into it.

  • @dooovde
    @dooovde 3 года назад +1

    At least the rains helps you see all the low spots

  • @homeromarrero1289
    @homeromarrero1289 3 года назад

    GOOD JOB MAN YOU ARE HOME MAN I GIVE UN YOU CALIFICATTION 100I WILL SEE YOU SOON

  • @kimstuart7989
    @kimstuart7989 Год назад

    This is amazing as i am currently leveling out my lawn. My question is what is the definition of leveled soil? Is it when the soil is loosely laid down? When i lay soil down it looks leveled them of course when you step on it in and pack it in a little it will easily not be leveled, pact on a little naturally, but not to hard that seedlings cant grow through it. Then you could easily add a little more soil and repeat that process. So at what point in the soil laying process are you checking for leveled?

  • @traceydoneley6195
    @traceydoneley6195 Год назад +1

    Awesome

  • @GoviBenefits
    @GoviBenefits Год назад

    Dang! That easy!

  • @servingthestreetz
    @servingthestreetz 2 года назад +1

    Bro best video

  • @OthmanAlikhan
    @OthmanAlikhan 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for teh video =)

  • @josephduncan9910
    @josephduncan9910 Год назад

    I always use a wide sweeping broom and make sure the drain is away from the house. Eyeballing it is enough.

  • @fernwehchronicle
    @fernwehchronicle Год назад

    Can this be done with pea gravel? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  Год назад +1

      I suppose it is possible. Seems like it would be too heavy to move around. And hard on the knees (uncomfortable)

  • @benharrison1069
    @benharrison1069 3 года назад +1

    I suggest you invest in a lawn leveling rake which works better than your stakes and 2 x 4. You also need to put some humid acid on your lawn monthly to soften up and enrich your soil.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад +2

      Yeah I bought some humic to incorporate with the existing soil base before I added topsoil. Unfortunately the humic shipment was delayed and the new soil was delivered on time, so I had to proceed without the humic so I could stay on schedule.

    • @scottstewart9154
      @scottstewart9154 3 года назад +6

      When you have a large area with no established levels a rake is not going to help you. You need to set some levels and scree the soil, his process with pipes is excellent, Ive done this with firring strips of wood staked at certain levels to establish levels for leveling base rock for block walls.

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  3 года назад

      Well said @scottstewart

  • @Itsjuustj
    @Itsjuustj 6 месяцев назад +1

    Great guide. I live in an area where the summers are hot and dry and we have a lot of clay. Is this ok to do if I plan on putting grass in later when it’s cooler? Thank you!

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  6 месяцев назад +1

      Hi thanks for watching! I live in Texas so I understand need to avoid the hot summers. I think the time of year that you do this will depend on the grass that you plan on planting. If you level the soil late in the season, as I did, you should be prepared to plant a cool season grass, so it will establish the fall and hold the soil in place over fall and winter. Since you live in a place where the summers are hot and dry, my assumption is that the end-goal is to establish a grass variety that will survive long term. So, be prepared to kill out the cool season lawn and then install sod or replant the lawn with a permanent stand of warm season grass. Or you could be a crazy person like me, and just let the sun kill out your cool season grass and replant it every year in September 🤣

    • @Itsjuustj
      @Itsjuustj 6 месяцев назад +1

      Understood! Sod installation is my desired goal. Thank you for clarifying this as I live in California, but I understand the summers to be more brutal in your area so I appreciate the confidence boost!😅 Im also planning to use this same type of soil in another area of my yard as a base for a garden bed. 🙏🏽

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  6 месяцев назад +1

      Ok well southern California climates pretty much allow for sod installation year round, with Fall and Spring being the 2 most optimal timings.

    • @Itsjuustj
      @Itsjuustj 6 месяцев назад

      What about Northern California with dry summers?

  • @sarahv6994
    @sarahv6994 2 года назад +1

    Brand new newbie here, and the one piece of information I can't find in any video is, "How do I approximate the quantity of compost/top soil I need to purchase for the size yard I have?" I know a lot would factor into the answer, like square footage and how level it is (currently it's a 480sqft West Texas sandlot personalized with intermittent, break-your-neck-taking-the-trash-out-goddamn-Dachshunds-crafted holes, and it's peppered with sporadic dead crabgrass nuclei), but a general starting place would be so very helpful! I'm a teacher just barely on "this" side of recovering financially post-COVID-19, so my budget is limited, but I need to get a grip of the yard stat, because my three-ring Dachshund and pit bull circus needs bathing every night after playing in the mess back here, and I think they are all getting skin infections from the bad stuff breeding in the dirt. ☹️

    • @jasongarringer12
      @jasongarringer12  2 года назад +1

      480 square feet would take about 2-3 yards if you apply a deepish layer. You could order it from a nursery/landscaping supply, or you could buy it by bag at Home Depot Lowe’s or Walmart. There’s online dirt calculators, and you can Google that and use it to create an estimate of the dirt that you might need. Hope this helps! Be careful with those dachshunds.

  • @krakadile
    @krakadile 2 года назад

    Brilliant wow 😳👍

  • @atruefreethinker1944
    @atruefreethinker1944 3 года назад +1

    well done

  • @irietropicals4255
    @irietropicals4255 Год назад

    Genius

  • @sneidigh
    @sneidigh Год назад

    I have a slopped front yard. Is there away to keep it from run off from rain to get it established? Just recently had a huge oak tree on my HOA side that messed it really up, too.