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Leveling/Top Dressing a St. Augustine Lawn

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8.1K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  CenlaLowell  
J
#1 ·
Hey all, new member here looking for some advice on smoothing out my lawn. I have about a third of an acre of approx. 4 year old St. Augustine that is very rough. I'm assuming the contractor just didn't do much prep prior to laying sod. I recently completed a French drain and sump/pump system, and would now like to continue my lawn improvement into smoothing everything out while maintaining my drainage (my yard is shaped like a bowl and is 6" lower than the curb, but that's another story).

I've been reading a lot here and watching Youtube videos, but any significant leveling projects I've seen have been on Bermuda or some other species. And by significant I'm talking bringing in a load of sand, distributing it around the yard via wheelbarrow, and smoothing it all out with a drag.

Is this still the best method for St. Augustine or would I be better off just filling/cutting small spots over time?

Any advice is appreciated.
 
N
#5 ·
CenlaLowell said:
I drag my st Augustine it does fine. This is a multi year process just know that going in to it.
Click to expand...
Do you use a level rake? I'm afraid of pulling out short roots on stolons. Also, in the low areas there blades are really short and I don't want to smother them. When you mean multi year process is it because you can only level a little at a time? Say 1/4 to 1/2".
 
#6 ·
NycHorn said:
CenlaLowell said:
I drag my st Augustine it does fine. This is a multi year process just know that going in to it.
Click to expand...
Do you use a level rake? I'm afraid of pulling out short roots on stolons. Also, in the low areas there blades are really short and I don't want to smother them. When you mean multi year process is it because you can only level a little at a time? Say 1/4 to 1/2".
Click to expand...


I use this no problems at all
 
N
#7 ·
CenlaLowell said:
NycHorn said:
CenlaLowell said:
I drag my st Augustine it does fine. This is a multi year process just know that going in to it.
Click to expand...
Do you use a level rake? I'm afraid of pulling out short roots on stolons. Also, in the low areas there blades are really short and I don't want to smother them. When you mean multi year process is it because you can only level a little at a time? Say 1/4 to 1/2".
Click to expand...


I use this no problems at all
Click to expand...
How low did you mow before you added the sand?
 
#8 ·
NycHorn said:
CenlaLowell said:
NycHorn said:
Do you use a level rake? I'm afraid of pulling out short roots on stolons. Also, in the low areas there blades are really short and I don't want to smother them. When you mean multi year process is it because you can only level a little at a time? Say 1/4 to 1/2".
Click to expand...


I use this no problems at all
Click to expand...
How low did you mow before you added the sand?
Click to expand...
Same height as I always mow. Somewhere between 3 1/2- 4. St Augustine will handle it just fine don't worry.
 
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