Gardeners’ simple 4-step approach will easily smooth out bumpy lawns

A gardener has shared a step by step method to smoothing out bumpy lawns, and it only requires three ingredients.

Making the most of any precious outdoor space is a common goal for many people once spring rears its head, with countless green-fingered enthusiasts hoping to ensure their gardens are scenic, tranquil and enjoyable places to enjoy the lighter nights and warmer weather.

If your lawn is looking a little worse for wear or is showing unwanted lumps and bumps, one gardening fanatic has shared his easy solution.

Gardener and author Michael Griffiths is known and loved for his no-nonsense approach to pruning, planting and much more.

In a recent video shared to his hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, Michael tackled the issue of bumpy lawns.

In the footage, he began: “This is how you level a bumpy lawn. First, we’re gonna prepare the area; we’re gonna mow the lawn really short.

“Around two to three centimetres, this makes it easier to apply top dressing and you get better visibility of any low spots.”

The footage then cut to show Michael sitting on his patio steps behind the three key ingredients for shaping up a lawn – top soil, sand and compost.

He continued: “Next, we’re gonna combine our materials – we’re gonna make a two to one mix; two parts top soil, two parts sand, one part compost. This combination provides bulk drainage and nutrients to help the grass flourish.

“Now, we need to apply the mix. Spread the mixture over the lawn or focus on low spots. And now, we level the mix.”

The gardener advised using the back of a rake or a lawn leveling rake to “spread the mix evenly”, then “tread it in and repeat where necessary”.

He concluded: “Finally, water in gently to help the mix settle and, if it’s needed, you’re now ready to re-seed your lawn.”

In the caption accompanying his post, he reiterated his method in a handy step by step guide: “Got a bumpy lawn? Here’s the fix. If your lawn feels more bumpy than flat, don’t rip it out, you can level it.

“A simple top-dressing mix of sand + soil + compost brushed into the low spots helps smooth the surface while keeping the grass growing through. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a lawn look instantly better without re-turfing.”

According to B&Q: “The best time to level your lawn is in the spring. Gather your supplies but keep an eye on the weather forecast. It’s best to avoid rain, but starting a couple of days after rainfall is fine.”

The popular chain supports Michael’s advice regarding the length of the grass being short “so you can clearly see where all the lumps and bumps are”.

It advises: “Mow it on the lowest blade setting and remove all the clippings.

“Your lawn will have a mix of dead and living plant material at the base of the grass. A little of this benefit the grass’s health, but too much can cause problems. So, thoroughly rake the grass over to remove excess thatch and clear the debris.”