Grading Area Before New Sod

[Dave]

Well, I finally cut down some dead trees, had stumps ground out and moved some landscape rock in order to convert an area to lawn. I did use a tiller to mix in some remaining rock and am left with the thought that this area (or parts of the area) will settle as time goes on, leaving a bumpy lawn. Would having someone come in with a back drag take care of this? The area's about 1000 square feet.

[Dave S]

Power raking might be an option as well. A cheaper option than power raking might be if you have a neighbor with a compact tractor with a rear mounted tiller.

[Dave]

The only thing my neighbor has that I can borrow is a riding lawnmower.

[Tom7227]

If you went down very far taking out the stumps then you're going to have settling. You could water the bejesus out of it to try and speed up the process but it's a matter of time. I had a new septic tank put in and so they went down 8+ feet. Over winter and early spring it sunk at lest 10 inches. You could consider going with a seeded lawn for now and realizing that you're going to have to do some additional filling next spring.

[lawdog]

Why not just add a load of black dirt now on top so its raised up then when it settles, you'll be close to right? Roll it to pack it when you seed and you'll be in the ballpark.

[gregg52]

all this rain is probably going to shrink it about as far as its going to shrink

whereever you ground the stumps just try to pound it down some how

drive you truck or something on it it will settle over years but i wouldnt wait for that to happen if you pulled those stumps youget alot more settling