What starts out as a pristine lawn can slowly end up as a crater-filled headache. And it can happen so gradually that you don't even notice until one day you're mowing and suddenly the blade snags on a divot you had no idea was there. This is your sign that it’s time to learn how to fix lawn depressions. Our seven-step guide will show you how.
How to Fix Lawn Depressions
Get rid of unsightly divots and protect your family from tripping hazards
Photo: AzmanL / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: AzmanL / E+ / Getty Images
Written by Kat Brancato
Contributing Writer
Updated September 5, 2023
Difficulty
Intermediate
Learn a new skill while beautifying your home.
Time to complete
24 hours
Varies significantly depending on how many lawn depressions your yard has and how deep they are.
Cost
$195—$325
If you already own the tools, this DIY is a no-brainer.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Aerator
- Rake
- Shovel
- Spreader
SUPPLIES
- Topsoil
- Grass seed
Mow the Lawn
Before you start fixing lawn depressions, you need to prepare by mowing your grass. You won’t be able to mow again for at least a couple of weeks; you’ll need to allow the soil to settle and new grass seed to sprout first.
Aerate the Depression
Aerating your lawn is the next step you’ll need to take to prepare it for fixing depressions and reseeding. Aeration allows for good drainage and promotes the healthy growth of new grass. Use a spike aerator, plug/core aerator, or liquid aerator to get the job done.
Overfill the Depression
Buy topsoil that's screened and free of weeds so you don't introduce new problems to your lawn. Use this topsoil to overfill any depressions with a shovel. Rake the soil across the depressions, but be sure to leave a little extra soil on top, as the topsoil will sink as it settles. Aim to build up the topsoil 2 to 3 inches above the yard line.
Gently Compact the Soil
Walk over the area or use a tamper tool if you have one to gently compact the soil.
Add a Layer of Loose Topsoil
If you want to grow healthy grass, the top layer of soil should stay loose to allow easy root growth. After compacting the area, add about three inches of new topsoil above the yard line. Don’t compact this top layer; it will settle after a week or two.
Water Thoroughly
Water freshly filled depressions with a sprinkler to help the topsoil settle and to remove air pockets.
Watering also helps encourage nutrients from your old soil to mix with the new soil. If the topsoil immediately settles below the level of the rest of the lawn, add more topsoil.
Leave It Alone for a While
Photo: Emma Loades / EyeEm / Getty ImagesLeave the bare patch for two weeks to let it settle fully. If it's still level with the rest of the lawn after that time, you can apply grass seed using a spreader. Otherwise, you will need to repeat the process until the soil is even with the rest of the yard.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you have only a few lawn depressions to fix, then doing it yourself is possible. It will be less expensive if you already have most of the supplies you need. However, for really deep depressions, or if your yard has steep slopes that need attention, you should hire a professional lawn specialist near you to do the job.
Renting equipment to do it yourself can get expensive, and the job can become very labor-intensive depending on the number of lawn depressions you have. Plus, if you aren’t experienced with this type of work, you could accidentally create a lawn grading problem or other issue that will end up requiring a pro to fix.
Allie Ogletree contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many factors can cause your yard to have lawn depressions. Here are the most common reasons:
Heavy rainfall
Wild animals such as moles, voles, and groundhogs that burrow and tunnel
Poor drainage
Buried items such as pipes that break down
Decaying tree roots or stumps
Soil that has compacted
Improper mowing techniques
Driving heavy equipment and vehicles through the yard
Not only are lawn depressions unsightly, they also cause your yard to be uneven and have divots, which can be a tripping hazard. Lawn depressions also make mowing more difficult and can potentially cause damage to your mower.
It’s best to fix lawn depressions during late spring. You want to wait until after your last frost date and when the yard is not too wet. This also allows ample time for new grass growth once you reseed.
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