Using Sand to Level a Lawn

If you are planning to level your lawn, then you may be wondering what types of material to use: sand, soil, or a mix of the two. Both sand and soil have a place in lawn leveling, but that does not necessarily mean that you should use both. Because each option has its pros and cons, your decision will depend on your needs and goals. 

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using sand to level your lawn.

For the Best Results

No matter what material you choose, there are several steps that you can take before leveling to yield the best results. Firstly, identify the problem areas on your lawn. Even if your are leveling your entire lawn, this will help you understand which areas need extra attention. Next, make sure that your lawn has been mowed very short, but do not scalp it. This will ensure that your mix settles easily in between the blades of grass. If lots of thatch has accumulated, you may also need to dethatch.

Why Use Sand to Level a Lawn?

Sand is the most popular material for leveling lawns. It is an inorganic material that will not break down over time and its fine texture more easily fills dips while staying completely level on top. In fact, many golf courses use only sand to get perfectly smooth turf. However, while sand’s leveling properties are superior to soil’s, that does not mean that it is right for every job. For instance, if you have a rut that is deeper than ½ inch, sand will be too unstable to fill it and may kill the grass underneath it. Furthermore, warm-season grasses like Bermuda will stand up to sand better than their cool-season counterparts. Many warm-season types of grass have acclimated to sandier soils and are better suited for leveling with exclusively sand. 

If you are planning to use sand in your lawn leveling project, make sure that you get the right kind. Grittier sand may be less expensive, but it often contains pebbles that make the sand much coarser. These little rocks can also damage your mower by getting caught between blades. You will get the best lawn leveling results from fine masonry sand or something similar. Its smaller particles will be able to more easily fill any small dips or depressions. 

Using sand in leveling your lawn improves its drainage capabilities and helps to better absorb and hold water. This helps create a healthier and more vibrant lawn. Sand particles are small enough to allow for more efficient nutrient absorption and retention. This means your lawn will be better fed and lusher. Using sand in leveling your lawn s much easier.

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Using Soil Instead of Sand

Using exclusively soil or another organic matter like compost or peat moss is not quite as popular because it does not level as effectively as sand. Organic matter can tend to clump and make a lawn bumpier than before, especially when it is wet. However, soil can still be a helpful material in lawn leveling. For instance, because organic matter is more stable than sand, it must be used for any large ruts. Soil or a mix of soil may also be a better option for you if you ever plan on seeding. Because most plants are not accustomed to very sandy soils, having some organic matter will help most seeds to germinate and grow.

For a more typical lawn leveling job, many people mix sand and soil together to also provide their lawn with a bit of nourishment. If you have sandier soil, a 50:50 mix will likely work best for you. Alternatively, if you have heavier, clay-like soil, a 2:1 ratio of sand to soil may work better. It is also possible to level using only topsoil because most bagged mixes are usually at least one-third of sand. 

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Use Dry Material

Whatever mix of materials you decide to use, make sure that they are as dry as possible before you level with them. It is possible that your shipment of sand will not arrive completely dry because many suppliers keep sand and other materials damp to control dust. If this happens, try spreading out your material as thinly as possible, ideally in the sun. Furthermore, try to plan the delivery at a time when it is not supposed to rain.

Material Amounts

The amount of material you need will obviously depend on the size of your yard and how thin or thick you will make your layers. There are many calculators online that can help you and get can even estimate the price. For an average layer across an entire yard, you will need about 1 – 1.5 tons of dry sand or soil to level 1,000 square feet. When wet, the material’s weight becomes nearly 2.5 tons. These amounts should be adjusted accordingly if you want or need a thinner or thicker layer. Also, if you are unsure of how much you need, you can get a quote from the suppliers of the material.

Maintenance

Leveling exclusively with sand requires special maintenance. Mainly, it can affect the way to carry out other lawn care practices. For example, sand should be the last layer on top of the soil. This means that if you plan to core aerate, you should collect the cores that accumulate so that they will not break down. Any organic matter on top of the sand can create different layers and make the lawn appear bumpy. Organic matter will likely accumulate naturally, so leveling with sand is rarely a one-time job. Instead, consider leveling in thin layers twice or thrice a year. This will also prevent the sand from smothering grass, even on lawns cut very short.