I've done it. It helps a little bit. It's easier to just get some topsoil or topsoil and sand and level it like that.

 

At least any weed seeds in those cores are native to your yard.

 

It would be tough to get all the plugs back in the hole. Good luck.
Actually, I was in a similar sitiation. I topdressed with compost and rolled the yard. I think it will help with water retention in the summer and drought conditions.

 

Not really ideal.

I bought an used aerator and have slow been raking plugs from 1 side of the strip to the other.

It'll work ... Eventually don't expect results any time soon.

If you don't own the aerator, I also wouldn't bother.

 

If you rake the cores and spread them out in your low spots it might work to help even out the lawn.

I agree with Thick that it is not the most efficient way to level and will be more of a long game approach. I drag my cores in hopes that it will help to level over time and that is mostly because I have a pull behind aerator, a drag mat, and I don't like to look at the cores sitting on the lawn so I try to break them up.

 

I think @Pete1313 did that on one of his renovations in the past and it helped. but what I remember he aerated something crazy like 10 passes or so...and then dragged. I aerated seeded and dragged a few weeks ago, more to cover seed than to level but if I had access to an aerator myself for any length of time I'd definitely give it a try. Anything is possible...with enough time and effort (and $) 😂

 

How about a blended approach, use the cores as partial fill and top off with top soil. If going 3" you will ne replanting anyway.

 

I think @Pete1313 did that on one of his renovations in the past and it helped. but what I remember he aerated something crazy like 10 passes or so...and then dragged. I aerated seeded and dragged a few weeks ago, more to cover seed than to level but if I had access to an aerator myself for any length of time I'd definitely give it a try. Anything is possible...with enough time and effort (and $) 😂

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.....

1 Million times better to bust up ground with a cultivator/tiller then rake, level and roll.

 

@Thick n Dense I don't think it is. Go check his +1 acre reno thread. That surface was smooth and great for seeds.

 

Here is the post

https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=14502#p14502

 

1 million times better than Pete's lawn would be a really nice lawn.

 

@Thick n Dense I don't think it is. Go check his +1 acre reno thread. That surface was smooth and great for seeds.

Yea this is different than just raking cores into low spots.

This is kind of what I did prior to seed except I used my mower to bust up the cores.

I'm sure Pete has an attachment for a rider, changes things a bit.

Thanks for digging that post up.

 

:lol:

1 million times better than Pete's lawn would be a really nice lawn.

^+1

 

1 million times better than Pete's lawn would be a really nice lawn.

A lawn 1 million times better than Pete's is literally not possible.

 

1 million times better than Pete's lawn would be a really nice lawn.

A lawn 1 million times better than Pete's is literally not possible.

I agree.

 

Thanks guys for the kind words!

Regarding leveling with cores. It works great for seed bed prep and smoothing on a renovation when you drag the cores. It has the advantage of almost tilling, but without the uneven settling that could occur with tillng. It's all about bringing enough soil to the surface though. For example, I went over the yard many times(I believe 10x). With that aerator it was ~14% affected surface area. If the aerator pulled 2" cores, that means there was enough cores to cover the entire area to a depth of .28". Low spots get more and high spots get less(and some falls back in the holes, but at a reduced bulk density), but if you don't pull enough cores it won't be as effective. You need to calculate the affected surface area by taking the tine spacing and the size of the tines.

On an existing lawn, the process will not be as effective, but still works some. Raking cores to low spots would be more effective if the low area was bare where you could pile up the cores and then roll them smooth. Then seed, plug, or sod.

I actually picked up a new aerator recently (greens type aerator). I plan to use it tomorrow and have the tines configured to do an affected surface area of 7% in a single pass on the existing lawn. Then drag it smooth and clean up the thatch puffs. Should bring enough cores to the surface to cover the entire area 1/8" to 3/16". There are some benefits to dragging the cores (think poor man's topdressing). I'll try and take some pics and talk about it some in my journal in the coming days.