The cost to renovate your lawn depends on the extent of the damage. Our guide will show you how much lawn renovation costs.
Lisa G.
Wonderful. I am going to have them remove and replace my driveway in the spring.
All Star Paving and SealingHow 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
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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
- All Star Paving and Sealing
- Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Locke M.
We had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest Lightscapes - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLC - Bob T.
We hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
- 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 - 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
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