A Comprehensive Guide to Flattening Your Garden

It is not uncommon to find that you have an uneven garden space. This can cause problems such as difficulty with drainage and making the installation of a patio or swimming pool more difficult. Here is a quick summary of how you can go about flattening this area.

·   Get permission – Check with the local council in case you need planning permission and utility companies to ensure your work will not interfere with any installations.

·   Wait till it is dry – Flattening a garden means having to shift huge loads of earth. This is best done when the ground is dry as waterlogged soil will be extremely heavy and thus difficult to dig and shift.

·   Clear the land – You need to remove everything you can that is above the topsoil. This means all vegetation and stones. This will also allow you to get a clear idea of the lay of the land. Use this opportunity to also mark out what areas will require levelling. 

·   Prep the surface – This involves digging up the upper layer of soil to a depth of about 15-20cm to make the soil more workable.

·   Identify your highest point – Use tools like string and a spirit level to figure out the highest level in your garden.

·   Even out your surface - As you add topsoil, use a rake to even out its level while guided by the strings used to identify the highest point.

·   Roll the earth – Use a roller to pack down the soil. If a small area, you can use the back of a spade.

·   Let it rest – Give the earth a few days to settle before planting new grass and other landscaping.