Look for a naturally flat section of land in your yard. While it won’t be exactly flat, it’ll be easier to work with than a visibly sloped piece of land.

A set of thin, 1 by 2 in (2. 5 by 5. 1 cm) wooden stakes will work just fine for this.

This process can be a little time-consuming, but having level strings will come in handy later on.

Sod can be heavy and difficult to manage with just a shovel. Renting a sod cutter can make this process go a little faster. [6] X Research source

You can also level the soil with a garden rake. [8] X Research source

It may take a bit of fine-tuning before your measurements are all the same.

It might be easier to measure and trim 4 planks of wood that exactly match your swing set dimensions.

It can take a little trial and error before the dirt is level. Feel free to take a break if you need it!

Setting up a swing set can be really tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. Call your local home improvement store or the equipment manufacturer and see if someone can help you set everything up.

Mulch blends in nicely with the rest of your lawn! Simply rake and spread it so it’s flush with the excavated perimeter of soil and sod.