Bumpy Lawn Problems? Here’s What You Can Do About It
How to Fix a Bumpy Lawn
Step-by-Step Video Series
A bumpy lawn isn't just an eyesore—it makes mowing a nightmare and turns your garden into an ankle-twisting obstacle course. The good news? It's completely fixable.
I've put together this video series from over 30 years working with grass, including 20 years as a professional greenkeeper. Whether you've got a few dips that collect water or your whole lawn looks like a mogul run, there's a video here that'll show you exactly how to sort it.
From simple hole filling to complete renovations, this series covers everything you need to know about levelling your lawn successfully.
Start Here – The Most Popular Levelling Video
This is one of my most-watched videos for a reason—it shows you how to fill holes and level bumps without ripping up your entire lawn.
We tackled the orchard lawn at a customer's property: multiple holes, uneven patches, but plenty of healthy grass worth keeping. You'll see the exact materials, the technique, and most importantly, what realistic results look like.
Topdressing with USGA Sand at Home
Here I level my own lawn using USGA-spec sand.
The same stuff used on professional golf greens. There's a reason greenkeepers swear by it: brilliant drainage, and it doesn't compact over time.
You'll see everything from delivery through to working it into the grass, plus the tools that make spreading it evenly much easier than you'd think.
Complete Lawn Renovation with Soil and Topdressing
This is one of my favourite transformations. We started with a renovation, then levelled with soil, and finished with screened topsoil for that perfect surface.
If your lawn needs more than just filling a few holes—maybe the whole thing's a mess—this video shows what's possible when you combine proper renovation techniques with quality levelling materials.
Why Sand Isn't Always the Answer
I know what you're thinking—"everyone says use sand." And yes, sand can be brilliant in the right situation. But it's not always the best choice, and using the wrong material can actually make things worse.
This video explains when sand works, when soil is better, and how your existing soil type should influence your decision. This one could save you money and frustration.
Levelling a Small Back Garden
Small gardens come with their own challenges, awkward access, features in the way, and less room to manoeuvre. But they're also quicker to sort once you know what you're doing.
This one involved a quick renovation: filling an old drain that was causing problems and topdressing the whole area. If you've got a compact space that needs attention, this is the video.
Fixing a Lawn Full of Holes
Some lawns are beyond a quick fix. This one was severely bumpy with holes everywhere. The kind where you trip over just walking across it.
We brought in ton bags of screened topsoil and did a complete renovation. If your lawn looks like it's been attacked by moles having a party, this video shows the full repair process.
Turning an Old Flower Bed into a Lawn
Got a flower bed that's become more of an eyesore than a feature? This customer had an unused bed that was just collecting weeds, so we converted it back to lawn.
The key is proper preparation and getting the level right so it blends seamlessly with the existing grass. You'll even see me getting stuck in on this one.
Fixing a Lawn for Easier Mowing
Here's something people don't always consider: an uneven lawn doesn't just look bad—it makes every single mow frustrating. You scalp the high spots, miss the low ones, and your mower takes a battering in the process.
This transformation shows what proper levelling does for your weekly mowing routine. The before and after speak for themselves.
Common Lawn Levelling Questions
Should I use sand or soil to level my lawn?
It depends on your existing soil type. Use USGA sand if you have sandy soil or want to improve drainage. It's what we use on golf greens because it doesn't compact and drains brilliantly. Use screened topsoil if you have clay soil or need to fill deeper holes.
Here's the key thing: mixing sand into clay soil creates a concrete-like layer that actually worsens drainage. Match your levelling material to your existing soil type, and you'll get much better results. Video 4 above covers this in detail.
How deep can I fill lawn holes in one application?
For topdressing existing grass, apply no more than 10-15mm at a time. Any more and you risk smothering the grass before it can grow through. The grass needs to see light to survive.
For deeper holes (50mm+), fill in stages over several months, allowing grass to grow through between applications. Very deep holes may require lifting the turf, filling underneath, then replacing it, or simply accepting you'll need to overseed that area.
When is the best time to level a bumpy lawn?
Spring (March-May) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal. Grass is actively growing during these periods and will recover through the levelling material within 2-3 weeks. The temperatures are moderate, so you're not fighting heat stress or frost.
Avoid summer when heat and drought stress make recovery harder, and winter when grass is dormant and won't grow through your topdressing. If you miss autumn, wait until spring rather than forcing it.
Can I level my lawn without killing the grass?
Absolutely—that's what topdressing is all about. The key is thin applications (10-15mm maximum) worked into the grass rather than dumped on top. Use a lute, landscape rake, or even the back of a garden rake to work the material down to soil level.
The grass will grow through within 2-3 weeks if you don't bury it. For severe unevenness requiring thicker fills, you'll either need multiple applications over time or accept that you'll need to overseed those areas.
What causes a bumpy lawn in the first place?
The usual suspects are soil settling after construction or landscaping work, animal activity (moles, foxes digging, birds pecking for larvae), poor initial ground preparation when the lawn was laid, tree root growth pushing up from below, and decomposing organic matter underground creating voids.
Heavy foot traffic can also compact certain areas while leaving others higher. Identifying the cause helps prevent recurrence; there's no point levelling if moles are going to tunnel through again next month.
🌱 Keep Your Lawn Looking Its Best
Levelling is just the start. For a lawn that stays thick, green, and healthy year-round, proper feeding makes all the difference. Our UK-made fertiliser range gives your grass exactly what it needs.
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