Is it necessary to remove grass before filling a low spot in lawn?

Question

I have a low spot in my lawn and I want to build it up with topsoil in the spring and plant grass seed. Is it necessary to remove the grass underneath the new topsoil or can I put the topsoil on top of the grass that's already there?

Wow! So many conflicting answers.
The area I need to level off has established grass there right now. It's not in clumps and I expect I will need about 4 inches of topsoil at the deepest point.

The entire area is roughly 8' x 10'.

Answer 1

No you don't need to remove the grass, we have done this many times. More than likely that grass will grow on through after you fill the low spot.======

Answer 2

If you don't mind doing a bit at a time, you can do it the "lazy way" with most lawn grasses. Scatter 1/4-1/2" soil mix on the area; wait a few weeks and repeat. This is handiest when you're just trying to level out an inch or so. The grass will form new roots farther up in the added soil.

With 4" though, I'd be inclined to remove the sod in the area,
fill, then replant the sod on top. If soil temps (not air temps) are likely to remain in the 50+oF range for at least another month,
go ahead and do it now. You may need to do a little patch seeding next spring.

Answer 3

There are a couple of ways for your low spot to reach the surrounding levels, you could hire a sod cutter and cut out the low area, then build up that area with soil to a satisfactory level and put back the sod you had cut out.
Or you can lightly top dress the low area over a period of time, what I mean is that you do a light top dress and then in 3-4 weeks time when the grass has come through strong, give it another top dress, keep doing this until you reach the desired level.
If you put to much on at once you run the risk of smothering and yes killing off the grass even if it is a resilient species.

Answer 4

wilma F everyone that answered has a different point of view.
Lowes Home Improvement ......
says nothing about digging out the grass.
LOGIC: if you dig out the grass you wind up using more soil to fill the hole.
So lets see what the experts say.
Level high or low spots in the lawn by doing the following:
Fill holes with topsoil and add grass seed.
*********for High spots***********
Remove bumps by cutting an X in the raised area with a garden spade. Peel the sod back, remove as much soil as necessary from underneath and lay the sod back in place.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/LawnCareBasics.html
Nothing said about grass removal
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/lawncare.html
Nothing here either.
http://www.michaelholigan.com/departments/TVShow/seg_tscript.asp?ts_id=5741&text_type=T&text_page=1
Conclusion....
just fill in the hole making sure to have enough soil for settling and keeping it level
Good Luck!

Answer 5

it is not necessary to remove the grass already there. If you put a lot of earth on it, it will die and help feed the new seed. If you don't put a lot of new soil on top it will grow through and help fill in the bare spot, along with the new seed. If it is a really low spot and you want to lift the old sod all you have to do is turn it upside down in the hole, fill with new soil and seed, keep moist and watch it grow!

Answer 6

I don't think it matters. When my dad filled in holes, he didn't remove the grass. I mean, the grass is going to get covered up anyway, no?
Just make the dirt a little bit higher than the surrounding lawn, because it will have to settle and get matted down. Either way you should be fine.

Answer 7

LOL, is this a serious question?! You could cover that grass with 6 inches of dirt and it would grow back next year!! Grass is tough, it won't hurt it to be buried. In short, NO you don't have to remove the pre-existing grass.

Answer 8

If it is established grass,then leave as is,however if is in clumps,then by all means remove all of the loose clumps,because after a rain the grass will settle along with the dirt leaving another low spot.

Answer 9

You do not need to remove the grass.

Answer 10

yes, it is necessary, because the grass will grow through the top soil and it will look uneven again, and that's more work for you.