A well-leveled lawn is the pride of every garden. Unfortunately, if you have a large hole in your garden that is the result of abandoning a large pond or removing a huge tree, it can be difficult to level the lawn again.
So, how do you go about filling a large hole in the garden without spending a lot of money?
Well, if you’re looking for the cheapest way to fill a large hole in your garden, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll suggest the cheapest way to fill a large hole in the garden.
Let’s dive in:
Option 1: Using topsoil
One of the best ways to fill a large hole in your garden is by using topsoil. It’s also fairly cheap compared to using concrete, for example. Topsoil is a type of soil that is found near the surface of the earth. It is typically composed of a mixture of organic matter, clay, and sand.
Topsoil is an ideal material for filling holes in the garden because it is easily compacted and has good drainage properties. In addition, topsoil is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most garden centers or hardware stores.
Materials that you’ll need:
- Enough topsoil
- A shovel
- A rake
- A wheelbarrow/ backhoe loader
- A compactor
Instructions:
1. Depending on the size of the hole, use a wheelbarrow or backhoe loader to transport and pour the soil into the hole. If using a wheelbarrow, you will need the shovel to load the topsoil into it.
2. Use the rake to spread the topsoil evenly across the hole.
3. Compact the topsoil thoroughly using the soil compactor. This will help to prevent the hole from sinking in the future.
4. Once the hole is filled, you can level the topsoil using the rake.
5. If planting grass, do it immediately after since it will be easier for the sod to establish itself in loose, newly turned topsoil.
6. Water the area thoroughly to help settle the soil.
Option 2: Using compost
If you’re looking for a more natural way to fill a large hole in your garden, then using compost is a good option. Compost is a type of organic matter that is made up of decomposed plants and other organic materials. It is a great amendment to the garden because it adds nutrients and improves drainage.
In addition, compost is considerably cheap and can often be found for free at local community gardens or composting facilities.
Materials that you’ll need:
- Compost
- Shovel
- Rake
- Wheelbarrow/ backhoe loader
- Compactor
Instructions:
1. Use a wheelbarrow or backhoe loader to transport and pour the compost into the hole. The shovel will come in handy for loading the compost into the wheelbarrow.
2. Spread the compost evenly across the hole with the help of the rake
3. Use the compactor to compact the compost. That way, the hole won’t sink as time goes by.
4. Once the hole is filled, you can level the compost using the rake.
5. Make sure to plant the grass immediately so that it can establish easily in the loose compost.
6. Water the area thoroughly to help settle the compost.
Option 3: Using sand
If you’re looking for an alternative to using topsoil or compost, then sand is a good option. Sand is a type of soil that is composed of small, loose particles. It is often used in construction projects because it is easy to work with and has good drainage properties.
In addition, sand is relatively cheap and can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
Materials that you’ll need:
- Sand
- Topsoil
- A rake
- Shovel
- Compactor
- A wheelbarrow/ backhoe loader
Instructions:
1. Use a wheelbarrow or backhoe loader to pour the sand into the hole.
2. Next, use the rake to spread the sand evenly across the hole.
3. After that, compact the sand using the compactor. This will help to prevent the hole from sinking over time
4. Once the hole is filled, use the rake to level the sand.
5. If planting grass, you may need to add a little bit of topsoil to the area since sand alone may not be conducive for grass growth.
6. Water the area thoroughly to help settle the sand.
Option 4: Using gravel
Finally, another option for filling a large hole in your garden is by using gravel. Gravel is a type of rock that is composed of small pieces of stone. It is typically found near rivers and streams.
Gravel is an excellent material for filling holes in the garden because it is relatively cheap and easy to find. In addition, gravel has good drainage properties and can help improve the drainage of clay soils.
Materials that you’ll need:
- Gravel
- Topsoil/compost
- Shovel
- Rake
- Compactor
- A wheelbarrow/ backhoe loader
Instructions:
1. Use a wheelbarrow or backhoe loader to get the gravel into the hole.
2. Then, use the rake to spread the gravel evenly across the hole.
3. After that, compact the gravel using the compactor
4. Once the hole is almost full, add enough topsoil or compost to the area so that grass can grow.
5. Plant the grass immediately and water the area thoroughly.
Cheapest way to fill a large hole in the garden: Final thoughts
The above are the various methods that you can use to fill a hole in your garden. The best way to do it will depend on the materials that you have available and the size of the hole. If you have a large hole, then it’s probably best to mix compost with sand or topsoil.
Just make sure to fill the hole with a material that will make it easy for the grass to establish easily if you’re planting any.
Water the repaired area well and give it time to heal. With a little bit of care, your garden will be looking good as new in no time.
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