How to Level and Seed a Lawn

Co-authored by Grant Wallace

Last Updated: January 9, 2024 References

Making a level lawn area is simple although does require some physical effort for the initial digging. Once the area has been dug over, the rest of the procedure is straightforward and easy.

It is wise to wait several weeks before seeding a newly graded area, especially if a lot of filling has been done, because the soil will settle and may form hollows. Any hollows that form must be filled and allowed to settle again or tramped down to ensure that the area is fairly level. To hasten the soil settling, give it a thorough and deep soaking with the hose.^{[1]
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Sowing seed when making a lawn is likely result in patchy stands of grass unless it is done systematically. See how best to do this below.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing a Level Area

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Each stake should protrude from the ground by 3” to 4”.^{[4]
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Always work with the board over three stakes; left to right, right to left or diagonally. Do this until all the stakes have been made level.^{[5]
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This topsoil should be uniformly level with the tops of all stakes.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Seeding

Lay out a grid in the area to be seeded with strings stretched between tent pegs at the sides and the ends to form rectangles not more than 10' across.
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After filling with earth, is it a good idea to use a roller to flatten the area evenly before seeding?

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If you have a roller handy and you want a very smooth area, yes. Another method is to drag a 2x4 over the area and then rake it smooth. Then use a leaf rake to make small furrows for the seeds so that it doesn't just lay on top. Smooth over once more.

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Tips

Ensure that the wooden board or plank that you use is level, not bent or curved.

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The stakes used to level the area need not be removed but can be allowed to decay where they stand.

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Newly seeded lawns are often injured or destroyed in spots by dogs, cats or other animals running, walking and digging in them. A wide poultry netting of 1" mesh laid flat on the ground around the edges is a good preventive. The wires slip between the animals' toes and will not be at all comfortable for them to walk on. About the only cases where such netting fails are when the animals are chased or chasing full tilt after one another, but no small animal that once crosses such a barrier will do so a second time.

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Warnings

Use leather gloves when handling wooden stakes to prevent splinters.

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Take care not to ingest fertilizer. If using liquid fertilizer, wear a protective safety mask.

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Things You'll Need

spray can of brightly colored paint
flat-topped square-headed wooden stakes (the number depends on the size of the lawn area, but at least nine)
carpenter's level
wooden board or plank long enough to place over three stakes (say, 12 feet long)
hammer or mallet
rake
tent pegs
string
grass seed
fertilizer
a roll of 1” wire netting (optional)