- 1). Mark any underground wires or cables and avoid digging in these areas. Remove any large rocks and plants from the lawn and thoroughly rake. Make the lawn as clean and bare as possible so you will be able to see the natural topography of your yard.
- 2). Level the ground coming toward your house if it is even slightly higher than the foundation. Remove the sod in the areas you will be leveling. Use a shovel to dig up excess soil and lumps. (You can save this soil, as it is the nutrient-rich top layer, for planting.) Flatten the lawn and rake it smooth. You may need to use heavy machinery or a contractor if you have a higher slope than you can regrade yourself.
- 3). Evaluate the lawn (or garden area) that touches your house. Rake and clear this area completely. Use the soil you removed from the higher lawn level to build up the area near the foundation of your house. Make a gradual (barely perceptible) slope away from your house with this extra soil, approximately a 2 percent, or 12-inch, grade.
- 4). Rake the entire yard and let the soil settle into itself. Wait for the next heavy rainfall if possible before re-seeding your lawn, in case you need to modify your grading job. Rake, fertilize with an organic product and plant grass seed after you are confident with your new lawn shape.
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