how do you level the front yard before seeding?

Question

Ive turned over about 12 inches of top soil, add store bought topsoil
and I end up having to rerake after every time I water. Should I rent a roller thingy? Its not more than 200 sq. ft.

Answer 1

Before completely leveling your soil, you might want to consider having a slight incline so that the water won't accumulate in the low-lying areas or pockets that might later develop -- making your lawn more susceptible to diseases. OR you should have a slightly-raised center to your yard so the water will drain to all sides.

Since you only have 200 square feet, you can use a long (10 foot) 2" x 4" piece of wood with a carpenter's level to obtain the desired sloping. (Screeding can be done also with this piece of wood)

The earlier suggestion of using a landscaper's rake will cut down the time spent to level the soil. Rather than having your soil smooth, it's better to broadcast your seed onto a slightly scarified surface (after raking) so the soil will be loosed and accept the grass seed better. After seeding, you can use a roller until to press down the seed and insure proper contact (seed-to-soil). I've always spread a very light amount of mulch over the tops of the seeds to reduce drying out between waterings during germination.

Please look at the following websites to get great suggestions on preplanting (soil preparation, fertilizer, soil mixes, watering, etc).

http://www.greatlandscapingideas.com/grassseed.htm

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/lawncare.html

Hope this information helps. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Oh I did this at my old houe on about the same size of lawn in my back yard. I started by leaving a kinda high area wher the water would drain from, to the front yard. I did this with a regular plastic rake. Once I had it fairly even, sloping down to where I more or less wanted, I hand seeded the grass, then I rolled over it with a barrel roller. And finally.... water water water... Water your grass about once or twice a day, for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. And hopefully you can start to trim your grass in February. I live in So. Cal, and did this last fall and I didnt cut my grass until late January or early February.

Answer 3

Ideally yes, but I wouldn't bother. The water will work to settle the soil, just don't rake as hard. A screed board might help......but it would have to be long enough to make it worthwhile. It is basically a drag board you weight and drag across the dirt to level out the high and low areas. Put a level on the top as you work so you can maintain somewhat of a level, but drainable grade. That is you don't want the grade to run onto a patio or back to the house.

I'd hate for you to make a tamper out of plywood because you might tap out all the oxygen from the soil. Roots need to breath. You want a stable seedbed, not a rock hard seedbed.

Answer 4

I would seed it then roll it. that helps plant the seeds so the birds have a harder time getting to them

Answer 5

rototiller it all over and as you do grade it with some kind of a flat pace of wood or something and drag it around and make it flat

Answer 6

Landscaping rake and soaker hose.

Answer 7

probably