Yes, you can fix most holes in your yard yourself! It is not too hard. This guide will show you how to do it step by step. We will talk about different kinds of holes. We will explain what stuff you need. You will learn how to make your yard flat and safe again.
Image Source: www.tiktok.com
Why Holes Happen in Your Yard
Why are there holes in your grass? Holes can make your yard look bad. They can also be trips for people or pets. Sometimes holes mean your grass is not healthy. Knowing why a hole is there helps you fix it right. It also helps you stop new holes from coming back.
Holes can happen for many reasons. Some are small. Some are big. Let’s look at what makes them appear.
Small Dips and Spots
Walk on your grass a lot? Play games there? This can make small holes or dips. Heavy things sitting on the grass can also press it down. These spots are often small. They are easy to fix. Think of them as little dents in the ground. These are often just patching yard divots.
Ground Sinks
Sometimes the ground just sinks down. This happens if dirt settled over time. Maybe a buried pipe broke. Or maybe a big plant died. As its roots rot away, the ground above can sink. These make bigger dips. They are like shallow bowls in your yard. Filling ground depressions fixes these.
Animal Diggers
Many animals like to dig. They dig for food like bugs or worms. They dig to make homes. Animals like moles, voles, gophers, or even dogs can dig holes. These holes can be small or large. They might have piles of dirt next to them. Fixing animal digging holes is needed here. Sometimes, you are dealing with rodent holes in yard.
Other Reasons for Holes
Water can make holes. Rain can wash dirt away. This happens a lot on hills. Bad drainage can cause wet spots that sink. Old tree stumps rot away. This leaves a hole where the stump was.
Getting Ready: What You Need
Fixing holes is a DIY job. You need a few simple things. You might have most of them already. Let’s make a list.
Tools to Use
These tools help you work on the hole.
- Shovel: To dig and move dirt. A small hand shovel helps for small holes.
- Rake: To spread dirt. To make the ground flat. To pick up rocks or grass pieces.
- Tamper or Flat Board: To push the new dirt down. This makes it firm. It stops it from sinking later. Your feet can work too for small spots!
- Watering Can or Hose: To wet the dirt. To water new grass seed.
- Wheelbarrow or Bucket: To carry dirt or other stuff.
Stuff to Fill the Hole
You need to fill the hole with something. The best stuff is often dirt.
- Topsoil: This is good dirt for lawns. It has good stuff for grass to grow.
- Compost: This is like super food for plants. Mixing it with topsoil is great.
- Sand: Sometimes sand is mixed in. It helps water drain well. But use too much sand, and it can cause problems. A common mix is soil, sand, and compost. This is often called “top dressing” mix. This mix is often the best soil for filling holes.
- Grass Seed or Sod: If grass is missing after fixing the hole, you need new grass. Seed grows over time. Sod is ready grass you lay down.
- Straw or Mulch: A thin layer helps protect grass seed. It keeps birds away. It holds water in.
Here is a simple table of things you might need:
| What It Is | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Shovel | To move dirt |
| Rake | To spread dirt flat |
| Tamper or Board | To push dirt down so it doesn’t sink |
| Topsoil | Good dirt to fill the hole |
| Compost (option) | Helps grass grow strong |
| Sand (option) | Helps water drain |
| Grass Seed | To grow new grass on the spot |
| Sod (option) | Ready grass piece for quick cover |
| Watering Can/Hose | To water the spot |
| Straw/Mulch | To protect grass seed |
Simple Steps to Fix Most Yard Holes
Most holes in your yard can be fixed with the same basic steps. Here is a general guide for repairing lawn holes. We will talk about special holes later.
Step 1: Look at the Hole
First, check out the hole.
* How big is it?
* How deep is it?
* Why do you think it is there? Is it from walking? Is it an animal hole? Did the ground sink?
* Is there grass around it? Is the grass healthy?
Knowing these things helps you pick the best way to fix it. It also helps you know how much stuff you need.
Step 2: Get the Area Ready
Clean up the spot around the hole.
* Pull out any weeds or bad grass near the hole.
* Take out any loose rocks or trash in the hole.
* If the hole is deep and steep, make the sides less steep. This helps the new dirt stay in place.
* If grass is growing in the hole, you might need to take it out. Cut around the hole. Lift the grass piece carefully. You can put it back later if it is healthy.
Step 3: Put Dirt in the Hole
Now, fill the hole!
* Use the dirt you picked. Remember, good soil like topsoil or a mix is best. This is about using the best soil for filling holes.
* Start putting the dirt mix into the hole.
* Fill it a little at a time.
* Push the dirt down gently as you fill. You can use your feet or the tamper. This is important! If you do not push the dirt down, it will sink later. Then you will have a hole again!
* Fill the hole until the new dirt is almost level with the ground around it. Leave it just a tiny bit low. The dirt might settle a little more.
* Do not make a mound that is too high. This makes it hard to mow. It can also kill the grass around it.
Step 4: Make the Ground Flat
Use your rake to spread the dirt evenly. Make the area smooth. You want the new dirt to be level with the grass next to it. This is leveling uneven lawn.
* Walk on the spot gently. This helps push it down just a little more.
* Use your tamper or a flat board to press the soil firm and flat. Make sure there are no bumps or low spots left. The goal is a smooth, even surface.
Step 5: Add Grass Back (If Needed)
If you had to take grass out, and it looks okay, you can try putting it back.
* Place the piece of grass back over the filled spot.
* Make sure its edges meet the old grass edges well.
* Push it down gently.
If you did not take grass out, or if the grass piece does not look good, you need new grass. This is reseeding bare lawn spots.
* Using Seed: Spread grass seed evenly over the new dirt. Use the kind of grass that matches your lawn. Follow the seed package for how much to use. Gently rake the seed into the top layer of dirt. A very thin layer of straw or mulch (like peat moss) can help keep the seed moist and safe. This is part of patching yard divots or larger spots. You could even use a lawn patch repair kit here. These kits often have seed, fertilizer, and mulch all mixed together. They are very easy to use.
* Using Sod: Cut a piece of sod to fit the spot. Lay it down on the new dirt. Make sure the edges fit tightly against the old grass. Push the sod down gently so it touches the dirt below it.
Step 6: Give it Water and Care
Water the spot right away.
* Water gently so you do not wash away the seed or soil.
* Keep the soil moist for the next few weeks. This is very important if you used grass seed. The top of the soil should not dry out. You might need to water a few times a day if it is hot and sunny.
* If you used sod, water it well every day for the first week or two.
* Try not to walk on the spot until the new grass is growing well or the sod has rooted. This helps the new grass get strong.
* Wait to mow the spot until the new grass is tall enough to cut with the rest of the lawn.
Fixing Different Hole Types
While the steps above work for most holes, some need special care.
Fixing Small Dips and Divots
These are the easiest holes to fix. They are not deep.
* Simple Method: If the dip is shallow (less than an inch deep) and there is still grass in it, you might not need to add much dirt. Just add a thin layer of a soil/sand/compost mix (like the top dressing we talked about) right over the grass.
* Spread the mix thin, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
* Use a rake or the back of a shovel to work the mix down into the grass blades. You still want to see the grass blades sticking up through the mix.
* This mix helps raise the ground level. It also gives the grass roots new food.
* Water the area well. The grass will grow through the new layer.
* You might need to do this a few times over a few weeks to bring the level up completely without burying the grass.
This simple way is great for patching yard divots without killing the grass.
- Method with Grass Removal: If the dip is a little deeper (1-2 inches) or the grass in it is bad, use the general steps:
- Cut around the grassy area over the dip. Lift the grass piece.
- Add your soil mix to fill the dip, pushing it down.
- Level the soil.
- Put the old grass back or add new seed/sod.
This works for filling ground depressions that are not too big.
Fixing Larger Depressions
These are bigger areas that have sunk down several inches. Leveling uneven lawn with large dips takes more work.
* Layering Soil: Filling a deep hole all at once with only dirt can be bad. The dirt might settle too much. It might not drain well.
* If the hole is more than a few inches deep, fill it in layers.
* Add a few inches of soil mix.
* Push it down firmly with a tamper. Water it a little.
* Let it settle for a day or two if you can.
* Add another layer of soil mix. Push it down. Water.
* Keep doing this until the hole is almost full.
* The last layer should be about an inch from the top.
* Then, finish with your final soil mix layer up to the ground level. Use the general steps from before to level and add grass.
* This layered method is important for filling ground depressions that are deep to stop them from sinking again quickly.
- When to Call a Pro: If the hole is very large, very deep, or keeps coming back, there might be a bigger problem. Maybe a water pipe is leaking underground. Maybe your yard drainage is very bad. If you are not sure why a big hole is there, or if fixing it yourself feels too hard, ask a lawn care company or a dirt/grading expert for help.
Fixing Holes from Animals
These holes are different because they were made by a living thing. Fixing animal digging holes needs one extra step: dealing with the animal first. You want to stop them from digging new holes! This is part of dealing with rodent holes in yard or other animal pests.
* Find Out Who is Digging: Look at the hole. What does it look like?
* Small mounds of dirt? Maybe a mole.
* Small holes near plants? Maybe voles or mice.
* Larger holes with piles of dirt? Could be gophers, groundhogs, or even rabbits or skunks looking for food.
* Random bigger holes? Could be a dog or a skunk looking for grubs.
* Stop the Digger: You need to try and make the animal leave or stop digging in that spot.
* For moles or gophers, traps can work. Or special products you put in the ground to make them leave.
* For animals looking for food (like grubs), you might need to treat your lawn for bugs.
* For animals trying to live there, you might need to use smells they do not like (like castor oil for moles) or block their tunnels.
* Make sure pets like dogs are not the problem!
* This step is key for preventing future yard holes from animals. Fixing the hole is no good if the animal just digs it again tomorrow.
* Fill the Hole Safely: Once you think the animal is gone or stopped digging, you can fill the hole.
* Be careful! Some animals can bite. Do not stick your hand far into a hole if you do not know what is there.
* Use your shovel to fill the hole with soil mix. Push it down firmly.
* Follow the steps for leveling uneven lawn and adding grass seed or sod.
Remember, just filling the hole does not stop the animal. You must address the animal problem first when dealing with rodent holes in yard or other animal damage.
Picking the Right Dirt for Your Hole
We talked about using good soil. Let’s look closer at the best soil for filling holes.
* Topsoil: This is the top layer of earth. Good topsoil for lawns is loose. It has some sand, some silt (like fine dirt), and some clay. It should not have many big rocks or hard lumps. Good topsoil lets water drain but holds some water for the grass. It often has good stuff in it for plants.
* Compost: Compost is made from rotten plants and food. It is very dark and crumbly. It is full of good food for soil and grass roots. Adding compost helps soil hold water better but also drain well. It makes the soil healthy.
* Sand: Sand helps water drain through soil faster. This is good if you have clay soil that holds too much water. But using only sand is bad for lawns. Sand does not hold food for plants. It does not hold water well for roots. If you mix too much sand with clay, it can make something like concrete! Use sand as part of a mix, not by itself, unless the hole is just a drainage issue you are trying to fix, which is rare.
* The Best Mix: A good mix for filling ground depressions or other holes is often:
* About 6 parts good topsoil
* About 2 parts compost
* About 2 parts coarse sand (optional, but good if your yard has drainage problems)
You can buy mixes ready to use. Or you can buy bags of each and mix them yourself in a wheelbarrow. Using this mix helps make sure the new dirt in the hole is healthy and drains like the rest of your yard. This helps the new grass grow well.
Thinking About Water Drainage
When you fill a hole, think about where the water goes.
* If the hole was there because water collected, just filling it might not fix the real problem.
* The soil you use should allow water to pass through. Too much clay in the fill dirt can make a hard spot where water just sits.
* If the hole was caused by water washing dirt away (erosion), you might need to fix where the water is coming from. Maybe change a downspout. Or build a small barrier.
* Using a soil mix with some sand or compost helps with drainage.
Choosing How to Cover the Spot
After you fill and level the hole, you need grass there again. You have choices for reseeding bare lawn spots or covering the repair.
Using Grass Seed
This is often the cheapest way.
* Pros: Costs less. Easy to do. Many kinds of seed are sold to match your lawn type.
* Cons: Takes time to grow. Needs careful watering for weeks. You cannot walk on it until it is grown. Birds might eat the seed.
* How-to: Spread the seed on the prepared soil. Rake it in gently. Cover lightly with straw or mulch. Water often to keep it wet.
Using Sod
Sod is pieces of grass that are already growing.
* Pros: Looks good right away. Gives you a green patch fast. You can use the area sooner than with seed.
* Cons: Costs more. Can be heavy to carry and lay. Needs good watering to root well.
* How-to: Cut a piece to fit the hole. Lay it on the soil. Make sure it touches the soil well. Water it deeply every day for a week or two.
Using a Lawn Patch Repair Kit
These kits are made just for fixing spots. This is an easy way for patching yard divots or small bare spots.
* Pros: Has everything you need in one box or bag (seed, fertilizer, mulch). Easy to use. Good for small fixes.
* Cons: Can cost more than buying seed and soil separately. Less choice in seed type sometimes.
* How-to: Prepare the spot. Add the mix from the kit. Water it well. Follow the directions on the package.
Choose the way that works best for your hole size, your budget, and how fast you need the grass back.
Caring for Your Fixed Spot
The job is not done when the hole is filled. You need to care for the area so the new grass grows strong and the spot stays level.
Watering the Area
This is the most important step, especially if you used seed or sod.
* Keep the soil moist. Not soaking wet, but not dry.
* For seed, the top 1 inch of soil needs to stay moist all the time until the grass is up and growing. This might mean watering a few times a day in hot weather.
* For sod, water deeply once a day for the first 1-2 weeks. Water enough so the soil under the sod gets wet.
* After the new grass is growing (or sod has rooted), you can water less often but water more deeply. This helps the roots grow down.
* Do not let the spot dry out completely in the first few weeks.
Mowing Around the Spot
- Do not mow over the new grass right away. Wait until the new grass is as tall as the rest of your lawn.
- When you do mow, make sure your mower blade is sharp. A dull blade can pull up new grass or sod.
- Try to turn your mower away from the new patch if you can, especially the first few times.
Keeping People and Pets Off
- Stay off the repaired spot! Walking on new seed or sod can damage it. It can stop the roots from taking hold.
- Keep pets away too. They can dig it up or walk on it.
- Use small flags or a simple fence to mark the area. This helps everyone remember not to step there.
Proper care helps make sure your repairing lawn holes work lasts.
Keeping Future Holes Away
You fixed the hole. Great job! Now, how do you stop new ones from forming? Preventing future yard holes is key to a smooth yard.
Good Lawn Care Helps
A healthy lawn is less likely to get holes.
* Water Right: Water deeply but not too often. This helps roots grow deep. Deep roots make the ground more stable.
* Mow High: Do not cut your grass too short. Taller grass shades the soil. It keeps it cooler and helps hold water. It also makes the grass stronger.
* Feed Your Lawn: Give your lawn food (fertilizer) when it needs it. Healthy grass fights off problems better.
* Fix Soil Problems: If your soil is hard clay or too sandy, work to make it better over time. Adding compost is always a good idea. Aerating your lawn (making small holes in it) helps air and water get to the roots and can ease soil packing.
Deal with Pests
Many holes are from animals. Preventing future yard holes often means dealing with what is digging.
* Find out what kind of animal is digging. Look for clues like tracks, droppings, or how the hole looks.
* Remove what they want. If they are digging for grubs, treat your lawn for grubs. If they are eating plants, protect your plants.
* Make your yard less nice for them. Some animals do not like certain smells. Some do not like noise or movement (like pinwheels). Barriers like fences can help.
* Sometimes, you might need to trap and remove animals. Check local rules about this.
* Staying on top of dealing with rodent holes in yard or other animal pests helps a lot.
Fix Water Problems
Water can wash dirt away or make ground sink.
* Look where water goes when it rains. Are there low spots where water sits? Are there places where water rushes down a hill?
* Change how your roof water drains. Point downspouts away from the house and yard slopes. Use extensions if needed.
* If a large area holds water, you might need better drainage, like a drainpipe system. This can be a big job and might need a pro.
* Fixing drainage is important for leveling uneven lawn over the long term if water caused the sinking.
By taking care of your lawn and yard, you make it harder for holes to start.
Summary of Fixing Holes
Fixing holes in your yard is a good DIY job. It makes your yard look nice. It makes it safer.
- Look at the hole: How big? Why is it there?
- Get your tools and soil mix ready. Use the best soil for filling holes for your yard.
- Clean the hole and area.
- Fill the hole a bit at a time, pushing the dirt down.
- Leveling uneven lawn means making the new dirt flat with the old grass.
- Add new grass using seed, sod, or a lawn patch repair kit. This is reseeding bare lawn spots or covering the patch.
- Water and care for the spot.
- Think about preventing future yard holes by finding out why they started and dealing with it (like fixing animal digging holes or dealing with rodent holes in yard).
By following these steps, you can get your yard back to being smooth and green. Happy repairing lawn holes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How soon can I mow after fixing a hole?
A: Wait until the new grass is tall enough to be cut. For seed, this is usually when it’s about 3 inches high. For sod, wait about 2 weeks to let the roots take hold. Always use a sharp mower blade.
Q: Can I just use dirt from another part of my yard to fill holes?
A: You can, but be careful. Dirt from digging might have rocks or not be good quality topsoil. It’s often better to buy good topsoil or a soil mix made for lawns. This gives the new grass the best chance to grow. If you use your own dirt, make sure it’s loose and does not have too much clay or rock.
Q: My hole is from an animal. I filled it, but the animal dug a new one next to it. What do I do?
A: You must stop the animal first. Just filling the hole is not enough. Find out what kind of animal it is. Then use ways to get rid of them or keep them away (traps, smells they do not like, removing their food source). Look into dealing with rodent holes in yard or other specific animal control methods before you fill the hole again.
Q: How do I know if my hole is from soil settling or something else?
A: Holes from settling are usually wide, shallow dips with no dirt pile next to them. They just look like the ground sank. Animal holes often have fresh dirt piles nearby. They might be smaller, more tunnels than dips. If you see tunnels just under the grass, it might be moles. If the hole has a clear opening and dirt fan, it could be a gopher or groundhog.
Q: What if my yard is very uneven with many dips?
A: For many small dips, you can use the thin layering method with soil mix over the grass several times a year. For larger, deeper unevenness over a big area, you might need to add a thicker layer of topsoil to the whole yard. This is called topdressing or grading. For very bad cases, it might be a big job that a pro could help with for leveling uneven lawn.
Q: Can I fix holes any time of year?
A: The best time is usually when grass is actively growing. This is spring or early fall for most grasses. This way, any new seed or sod you put down will grow well. You can fill holes with dirt any time, but you might need to wait for the right season to add grass back. Avoid fixing holes when the ground is frozen or during very hot, dry summer heat.