Question
Hi!  My lawn is a bit too high in my backyard.  When it rains or when I wash my patio off, the water won't run out into the lawn because the lawn is just a bit too high.  My thought is to rent a sod cutter to lower the level.  I'm wondering if this will work.  Can I cut the sod and then go back over the same area again with the sod cutter to lower the level?

Answer
Well, theoretically that should be fine. The only problem is regarding what types of grass you actually have in the lawn. Some varieties grow in independent bunches that do not hold together at all. If you cut them with a sod cutter, they'll literally fall apart into independent plants, which would be very difficult to piece back together.

Here's a few types of grass that you should be okay with:

Any southern species (Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia), Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine fescue.

On the other hand, if your lawn is mainly Tall fescue or perennial ryegrass, I wouldn't advise this.

Good luck!

-C.J. Brown