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Discover average lawn aeration cost, key price factors, and tips to save. Get a clear estimate for your yard and learn how to choose between DIY and hiring a pro.
John P.
They started cutting my lawn last Summer, so it has been about a year.
How to Fix Lawn Depressions
Get rid of unsightly divots and protect your family from tripping hazards
Get quotes from lawn care providers near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from lawn care providers near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
COMPLETION TIME
1 day
COST
$195—$325
What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Aerator
- Rake
- Shovel
- Spreader
SUPPLIES
- Topsoil
- Grass seed
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.
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
Lawn services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 56 total reviews
- Kristen A.
They show up and they did take us on as a client which seems to be a problem with other lawn care providers. We have multiple properties and this one was located close to downtown and no one really wants to mess with it.
- Terri O.
The worker came out when he was supposed to come. He informed me he would honor the Angie's List deal, but would not do any more work for me since my son in law owns lawn care company as well, even though they do not do the same type of work. He said he did not feel comfortable giving me...
Bello Giardino LLC - Sarah S.
Phenomenal vendor. For $25 Moc mows and trims the lawn, and never leaves a trace behind. Highly recommended.
- Kenneth G.
They are always prompt. They do what they promised to do. They are cheerful. The person who had been doing our work as the technician named Jay; he is great. He is very knowledgeable. He tells precisely what needs to be done. He very much knows about lawn care.
- Amy H.
E & L Lawn Care was super. They were very responsive before and after service. They were efficient and were able to complete the job within 1 day. I have had concern about one section of sod - the owner was pro-active and did a visit to evaluate. I have no doubt they will stand behind...
E&L lawn care - Ruthellen W.
He does a great job and he is just great. He does not take advantage of women either like some people would. That means a lot for me because I don't know what to do. He seems to know what my dollar means to me. He does not push me at all. He is very ethical and he don't make me pay for...
RENEKER LAWN SERVICE - Michael S.
BEECHWOLD ACE HARDWARE IS THE OLD FASHIONED TYPE OF HARDWARE STORE THAT IS HARD TO FIND THESE DAYS. MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE VERY EXPERIENCED IN EVERY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD REPAIR: PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, AUTO, LAWN & GARDEN, PLASTER, PAINTING, ETC. AND IF THEY CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS...
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