Why Lawns Get Bumpy

Bahia and Zoysia lawns in Polk County rarely stay flat. Sandy soil settles unevenly, roots and old thatch build up in some spots and not others, and every spot that was once damaged by pests, drought, a vehicle or a repair leaves a high or low patch behind. Over a few seasons the surface turns into ridges and hollows.

That is when mowing becomes a problem. Set the mower low and the blade scalps the high spots down to bare dirt while the low spots are barely cut. Raise the mower to avoid scalping and the lawn never looks tight and even. Neither setting fixes the real issue, which is the ground itself.

How Turf Leveling Works

Turf leveling fills the low areas with a soil or sand blend so the surface comes back to one even plane. We spread the leveling mix with the same Earth & Turf 415SP topdresser we use for compost, which lays down a controlled, even layer instead of piles that have to be raked out by hand. The grass grows up through the material within a couple of weeks.

• Fills low spots and hollows so the mower deck rides level across the lawn.
• Stops scalping on the high spots, which is where most bare patches and weeds start.
• Lets you mow lower for the tighter, denser look that Zoysia in particular is grown for.
• Improves drainage by removing the hollows where water sits after a storm.

What to Expect

Minor unevenness is usually corrected in one application. Badly rutted or heavily damaged lawns are leveled in stages, a light layer at a time, so the grass is never buried. We pair leveling with core aeration when the soil is compacted, and with a COMAND top dressing when the soil also needs organic matter, since the two can go down on the same visit.