[rickta24]

I have two small rectangles of front yard, each approximately 500 square feet. One section has common Bermuda/purple nutsedge. The other section was gravel. Both sections are 2-3 inches above the sidewalk and driveway.

How does one go about correctly grading a lawn?
If I intend to put down sod, and the sod dirt layer is 3/4" to 1" thick, should I level the dirt to 3/4" to 1" below the sidewalk and driveway?
How does one ensure that it is perfectly level, other than eyeballing it?

Thanks for everyone's help. This forum is going to help transform our lawn. Long way to go.

 

[Steverino]

I'd say pop some strings across like the blue lines maybe 3 or 4 and run 2x4's or however thick your sod is boards like the beige lines using the tight string to get those right. Have them say 6 feet apart and screed with 7 foot boards along the concrete and 2x4's to get it all an even depth.

 

[J_nick]

I would shoot for the final height to be slightly below the concrete ~1/2". Once the grass is down it's 1000x easier to raise the height than it would be to lower it. The sod won't be all the same thickness and will probably be a little lumpy after it's established. A couple leveling jobs with sand would smooth it out and put the soil level right at concrete height.

 

[tlow13]

Just a quick question, in your third picture with the bare dirt, is that a stump near the top 3/4's of the rectangle near the left edge? If it is you might consider removing it if you haven't already. If you leave it in the ground to rot it will leave a depression that you will have to fill eventually, and you'll probably get mushrooms sprouting up from that area for years to come as well.

Just my two cents, I'm sure you've already considered it.

 

[rickta24]

Just a quick question, in your third picture with the bare dirt, is that a stump near the top 3/4's of the rectangle near the left edge? If it is you might consider removing it if you haven't already. If you leave it in the ground to rot it will leave a depression that you will have to fill eventually, and you'll probably get mushrooms sprouting up from that area for years to come as well.

Just my two cents, I'm sure you've already considered it.

Yes I'm planning to have it removed, along with another one in the back yard that I tried my hand at removing. I thought I was making good progress but let's just say my stump removal career was both comical and short-lived. :lol:

 

[tlow13]

Just a quick question, in your third picture with the bare dirt, is that a stump near the top 3/4's of the rectangle near the left edge? If it is you might consider removing it if you haven't already. If you leave it in the ground to rot it will leave a depression that you will have to fill eventually, and you'll probably get mushrooms sprouting up from that area for years to come as well.

Just my two cents, I'm sure you've already considered it.

Yes I'm planning to have it removed, along with another one in the back yard that tried my hand at removing. I thought I was making good progress but let's just say my stump removal career was both comical and short-lived. :lol:

Geez that thing is huge, you definitely made a good dent in it. You could try winching it out or using a farm jack if you still want to go the DIY route. Something like this

. But I wouldn't blame you for getting that removed professionally, or ground either, that is a beast.