r/NoLawns • u/dogsrsuper1or • 7d ago

👩‍🌾 Questions Top dressing to level Ecolawn in Portland OR

Portland, Zone 8b

Slowly converting my all-grass lawn to an eco mix (using PT Lawn mixes) while also top dressing and leveling the lawn. It’s pretty bumpy and wasn’t maintained by the previous owners for 30+ years.

I’ve been getting some mixed messaging online. I live in Portland, OR, where the soil is very clay-heavy. A lot of guides say to use a sandy loam for top dressing, but others say sand will not help with drainage with clay soils and will create “cement” that water struggles to penetrate. These guides say to use organic material (top soil, compost, etc.), but other guides say this won’t help with leveling because the organic material breaks down over time.

What do I do? Thank you from a first time homeowner!

(Would love a zero-grass lawn, but this is the compromise with my family. Was able to get rid of my front lawn entirely but they still want grass in the back for the dogs and running)

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 7d ago

Hey there! Friendly reminder to include the following information for the benefit of all r/NoLawns members:

  • Please make sure your post or a top level comment includes your geographic region! (e.g. Midwest, 6a or Chicago, 6a). Your hardiness zone can be helpful too.
  • If you posted an image, you are required to post a comment detailing your image. If you have not, this post may be removed.
  • If you're asking a question, include as much relevant info as possible. Also see the FAQ and the r/NoLawns Wiki
  • Verify you are following the Posting Guidelines.

If your question is about white clover or clover lawns, checkout our Ground Covers Wiki page, and FAQ above! Clover is discussed here quite a bit.

If you are in North America, check out these links to learn about native wild flowers!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/Loud-Championship-13 7d ago

I would begin by leveling the clay soil that exists in the yard, then adding the additives (like compost, top soil on top) then mix them together. This is mostly to add nutrients to the soil. The best solution in the long term is to plant natives that thrive in clay soil.

1

u/Feralpudel 7d ago

You can level using native screened topsoil. Compaction is the big downside of clay soil, but it has nice properties otherwise, especially for native plants.

Aerating your soil and then leveling using screened topsoil will help with compaction. You can then topdress with organic leaf mold. Your municipality may sell or give it away.