The Grass Doctor

How do i break up, spread, and level clay fill dirt (for new lawn) by hand?

I got 30 yards of free fill dirt that turned out to have a alot of clay in it. My brother used a tractor and surprised me by dumping the dirt in piles close to where i needed it, but its all unlevel, thick, matted down. There are mogul piles everywhere. I dont have money for professionals, or to rent another tractor. I need to level the clumpy piles and properly slope it away from the house for proper drainage to the street. Its a mess. It poured rain on it after he spread the piles. I dont know what to do. My intention was to raise the ground 5-6 inches for about an 2-3 thousand square foot area, and the slope it, then put this falls leaves on it, (about 2 feet deep, then after winter mats the leaves down, (when i have more money) to put about 3-4 inches of premium peat mix top soil, and then plant grass. Should i spread peat moss all over it, and add lots of lime? But how do i spread it? When i use a garden rake i can barley budge it. It wasnt liek that before it was dumped in piles and rained... PLEASE OFFER ANY ADVICE.

Public Comments

1. You need to use a shovel, and take a scoop, dump it back in the hole you made, and break the the dirt clods. Start from one side, work your way to the parallel side, and work your way until you invert the soil on all the ground.
2. Try calling around to people who put in gardens and see if anyone would be willing to come and help you rototill some sort of mulch or peat into the soil. If there are any small farms around your area you may have a source for humus and find someone who would be willing to help you. It never hurts to call and ask.