Question
Hi,I live in Columbus Ohio and have a large backyard. It hurts my feet to walk barefoot because it feels like large dirt clogs are EVERYWHERE!  Seriously, the entire ground is raised every few inches, or lowered, throughout the entire lawn. The grass grows good and looks fine.  How do a level it?  Running across the lawn makes you feel like you might twist one of your ankles. I would be willing to till the whole thing and start a new lawn.  Do I have to remove the old grass first?  Do I have to wait until spring to do this?

Answer
Kim:

Installing a new lawn will level the yard, assuming that the final finished grade is smooth.  There are some other methods to accomplish this which will take more time, but cost a lot less.

You may use the golf course method of topdressing with sand or topsoil on top of the existing lawn without major renovation.  This requires either a topdressing machine or many hours of work with a wheelbarrow and shovel   Distribute soil/sand over the lawn and let it settle into the low places.

Alternately, you may topdress with compost.  This will eventually soften the soil as well as provide nutrients for the lawn.  I would not view this method as a filling of holes as much as a way to ameliorate the hardness of the clods.  If you choose this method, find a professional landscape supplier who mkaes a high quality material and has an analysis.  It should be made by thermophilic processing above 131 deg. F.

If you choose topdressing (either material) aerate the lawn deeply with a core aerator.  You may sew grass at this point also.

Winter weather is about to arrive in Columbus.  You are correct about renovation in the spring.  Bluegrass, if that is the turf you have, requires four weeks for germination, according to the book.  But you may use the alternatives anytime you can get onto the lawn without rain or snow.

Lawns will do what you described either some years after sewing or as a result of drought.  Further, the type of soil you have, usually brown/black alluvial, will react to drought as you have described.

Best wishes.  Go Buckeyes!