Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeFactsHow To Spread Topsoil Over Existing Lawn

How To Spread Topsoil Over Existing Lawn

- Advertisment -

Improving Your Healthy Lawn

Lawn Care: Topsoil Topdressing

Topdressing can be a lot of work. But it provides a healthy and organic way to make your lawn look like the one in your dreams. All it takes is determination and a little bit of elbow grease.

Even with happy soil and a healthy lawn, your yard may still need an extra hand. For help topdressing your lawn, check out your local lawn care pros that offer topdressing services.

LawnStarter writer Abigail Evans updated this article.

Whats The Best Type Of Topsoil For Leveling A Lawn

If you are going to level your lawn with topsoil there are a few options when it comes to what material you can consider for using to level your lawn. I will now go over what materials different people say you should use or not use to level your lawn and look at the advantages and disadvantages of all the available options.

  • Sand Sand can be used to level lawns and some people like it because it is very fine I texture so it is easy to work it down to the soil. Using sand can cause problems especially if you have soil with a high clay content under your lawn. When sand and clay mix it can turn into a near concrete mixture and that will cause all sorts of drainage problems later on.
  • Sand/ Topsoil Mix Using a sand and topsoil mix is a much better option than using sand on its own. Using this method has the advantage of the sand making it easy yo work through the grass and down to the thatch level whilst the soil makes sure there is still good drainage. The topsoil will also add some nutrients back into your lawn.
  • Topsoil If you use a high-quality topsoil mix for leveling your lawn it will have all sorts of benefits as apart from leveling your lawn it will add organic matter back into your lawn. When you add a blend like this onto your lawn all the nutrients will work their way down to the soil and back into your lawn. Adding quality topsoil to your lawn will have the same effect as using fertilizer on it.

How Thick Should Topsoil Be For Grass

Topsoil should be between four to six inches thick for grass. This thickness ensures the grass roots can stretch well below the surface. It also optimizes soil drainage, nutrient absorption, hydration, and aeration. Always till the soil if its compact.

Keep these tips in mind:

  • Home Guides suggest adding up to six inches of topsoil to your grass. Another option is to till the topsoil into clay or sandy soil. You could also lay the topsoil on top of mulch if you want better drainage on a sloped hill or a tiered garden.
  • Too much topsoil is a bad thing because it can reduce the oxygen in the soil. Your grass will struggle to get its nutrients, water, sunlight, and oxygen. Furthermore, excessive amounts of topsoil often lead to mildew, bacteria, and mold growth. It could also cause fungal growth.
  • Consider the type of topsoil youre adding to the grass. Scotts Premium Topsoil offers an excellent soil combination for gardens, lawns, and everything in between. The company recommends the aforementioned six-inch layer, then plant the grass seeds and water them daily.

Topsoil is far too beneficial to avoid when growing a new lawn. Its also an excellent addition to growing and pre-existing lawns. Whether you prefer a tow-behind roller, a dump spreader, or a shovel, I highly recommend adding topsoil to your yard when the existing soil gets too compacted.

Also Check: What Does Crabgrass Look Like In Lawn

How To Easily Level A Lawn With Topsoil

So you want to know how to level a lawn with topsoil so that you can have the lawn everyone wants which is a lawn like a putting green.

It is actually quite simple to level a lawn if it is only moderately uneven but if your lawn is very, very uneven then it may take some work to get it truly level.

My lawn was not perfect when I moved into my new house and I did not get it perfect in one year, I thought I did at the time but then I started to notice that actually there were still some uneven parts or at least parts of my lawn were still not as perfect as I had dreamed of.

It is definitely possible to get your lawn completely level in one session so you should read this article if you want to learn from the mistakes I made so that you dont make them.

There are different methods you can use for leveling your lawn and different tools on the market that will help you achieve your goal. It all depends on how uneven your lawn is and whether you want it to be just level or putting green level.

It is simple to level a lawn with topsoil, all you have to do is spread a thin layer of quality topsoil over your lawn. Just make sure you spread it only between ¼ ½ inch thick and you will see massive benefits.

What Happens If You Put Dirt Over Grass

how to spread topsoil over existing lawn: 5 Simple Steps

Lawns usually take up a large portion of our land and for good reason. If you look at new construction homes with and without lawns, you will find that houses that have a lawn have much higher construction costs compared to those without.

However, at the same time, you will also find that the selling price of houses with a lawn is much higher than of those without. The aesthetic appeal added by a lawn with fresh grass is much more and comes at a fraction of the cost. However, if your lawn is too big and you want to build something on it, you might be wondering how to get rid of the grass in a given space. What would happen if you put dirt over grass?

Adding dirt over grass to build on it is never a good idea. However, if you are looking to simply level the place or repair a lawn, you can get away with dumping new soil on top and preparing it for sod/seed. There are a few intricacies to keep in mind when doing so which we will discuss in detail here.

Read Also: How Much Should I Pay My Lawn Care Employees

How To Put Topsoil Over Weeds On A Lawn

Related Articles

Weeds are defined as undesired or valueless plants that grow wild in cultivated ground. Your yard and flower beds are ideal locations for weeds, and if you do not make the effort to stop them, they can quickly reproduce and grow out of control. Many gardeners use topsoil as a weed suppressant because it is a chemical-free method that will not harm nearby plants, though using some chemicals can contribute substantially to your goal of eliminating weeds. If you plan to kill weeds in your lawn using topsoil, it is wise to put down a layer of landscaping fabric first or apply the topsoil thick enough to discourage the growth of weeds.

Leveling Out An Uneven Lawn

Carlos G. Lopez / Getty Images

Areas of a lawn can become uneven over time, due to settling, drainage issues, and various natural and unnatural causes. In the least extreme cases, you can solve the problem by topdressing with a thin layer of leveling mix . This is a good solution for widespread unevenness that does not run too deep. More extensive variation in level may require multiple applications of topdressing or, in more extreme cases, filling in deep depressions with soil and reseeding over the filled areas. If unevenness appears near water pipes, along with drainage issues, consult a professionalyou might have a damaged pipe causing the issues.

One trick for leveling small depressions or holes covered with healthy grass is to cut out a patch of the turf and add the soil mix underneath it, then lay the patch back down. Known as sweeping under the carpet, this is a handy technique for leveling localized depressions without having the unsightliness of exposed soil on the grass, which happens with the other methods.

Whichever method you choose, spring is the best time to level your lawn, as the conditions are mild, giving the lawn a chance to recuperate before summer’s heat arrives.

You May Like: How Much Does It Cost To Sod Your Lawn

Is Topsoil Or Compost Better For Grass Seed

Compost before overseeding is a tried and true method for getting the most out of your overseeding efforts. Topsoil doesnt bring as many benefits for overseeding. When choosing between the two, use compost as your top dressing.

  • When overseeding, use compost, not topsoil.
  • Compost provides more nutrients and moisture than topsoil.
  • Compost breaks down to increase soil performance.
  • Topsoil will not provide the optimal habitat for grass seeds and it wont break down over time, leading to an unsightly, dirty yard.

To encourage a thriving yard, mow low, aerate, and then spread a high-quality compost product in a layer 0.25 inches thick. Then, spread your grass seed and rake the compost to cover the seed. This organic layer of compost will serve as a nursery, encouraging your new seeds to sprout and take root.

Add Aeration To The Soil

Spreading topsoil

After spreading the topsoil, go back over it and make sure it is evenly spread and aerated. Do not suffocate the lawn and inhibit future growth.

Regardless of the landscape available, the materials selected, or the tools being used to spread the topsoil the steps and things to keep in mind for all approaches will be:

  • Topsoil should have air pockets. We recommend using a rolling aerator or something with spikes. It is possible to poke holes in the yard by hand, but this could be tedious and not as consistent as using a tool.
  • Topsoil should be around 1-2-inches thick. Some recommend closer to ¼or ½ of an inch, so use good judgment based on the climate and moisture in the area. Dont go beyond two inches as this is the maximum depth to be certain all exposure to airflow is not cut off. Airholes will still need to be added.
  • Confirm that the topsoil is reaching about 6-8-inches of depth into the soil. Topsoil should be seen falling into the air pockets and not thickly caked on top. If it still appears caked, add more air holes with a more extended tool to puncture deeper.
  • The air holes are offering proper drainage, which will keep moisture balanced and avoid flooding or dehydration in the landscape. Tools and aeration will be critical to balancing these two extremes.

    Its always an option to use simple tools already available at home like a shovel, rake or hands!

    Read Also: How Often Should I Mow My Lawn

    The Best Reason To Top Dress Lawn With Compost

    Managing a lawn is one of the most resource-intensive practices homeowners participate in. Hard to believe, but pound for pound, here in North America we use more pesticides and herbicides per acre on our lawns than big agriculture does on food crops. Instead of turning to synthetic fertilizers that cause water-polluting nutrient runoff, harm beneficial soil life, and introduce unnecessary chemicals into your yards ecosystem, turn to compost instead. As you now know, the benefits are many and you can feel great about letting your kids and pets roll around in the lawn without worry.

    For more about compost and soil care, check out the following articles:

    Top Dressing A Lawn: How And Why

    Top dressing a lawn is the process of applying additional materials to the surface of a lawn for many purposes and benefits, but most importantly to make it look its best, allowing you to enjoy those beautiful summer days in a stunning garden.

    A top dressing consists of a mix of materials such as sand, soil, peat and loam, which should be made to closely match the composition of the existing soil, as all of the new materials will eventually form part of the root zone and will therefore need to blend well.

    Don’t Miss: How Do I Treat Brown Patches In My Lawn

    The Difference Between Top Soiling And Top Dressing

    Dont be surprised when you hear many people using top soiling and top dressing interchangeably. The truth is that many people do not know the difference between these two terms. Some even argue that they mean the same thing, and that is not true.

    Topsoil

    Top soil is a term that refers to the uppermost layer of soil. You will find this layer at about the top 13 to 25 cm of the soil. It has water, mineral matter, air, and organic matter. Also, this is where the most biological activity takes place.

    Topdressing

    On the other hand, topdressing is a process that involves applying topsoil to an existing soil to improve the soil or correct a soul condition. It is easy to find top-dressing soil in gardening stores or farm shops. Depending on your lawn issues, a top dressing soil differs from topsoil.

    Fun fact: Topdressing is a mixture of quality topsoil including silica sand. This is where the difference lies between topsoil and top dress.

    How To Sow Grass Seed

    How to Repair Your Lawn

    For small areas, it’s easy to sow grass seed by hand. Carefully spread the seeds on the ground and cover them with about a quarter of an inch of soil, says Noah James, owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance .

    ‘Moisten the ground, mix the seed and scatter it evenly. Sow 1 1/4 ounces of seed per square yard half from right to left and the other half from left to right to ensure a good coverage,’ add the experts at Johnsons Lawn Seed.

    For larger areas, use a spreader to sow the seed. Trying to use your hands for large areas can lead to very uneven coverage of grass seed,’ says Walker. ‘I have found that push rotary spreaders do an excellent job. They apply the seed at a consistent rate for uniform coverage.

    Once you have sown your seed, carefully cover the seeds over with soil using either your hand or a rake.

    Press the seeds down by standing on them or using a tool like a roller, because they need a firm seedbed, adds James.

    Take care not to plant the seeds either too deep or shallow. Bury them too deep and they will take longer to germinate. Too shallow and the seeds will be prone to drying out or being eaten by birds, says Hedges-Gower.

    Once you have planted your grass seed, you can apply starter fertilizer if you didnt do so prior to planting. Water immediately. ‘In case of dry weather use a fine spray to keep the seed bed well watered and moist,’ add Johnsons Lawn Seed experts.

    You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Quack Grass In Your Lawn

    Finding The Right Tools For Spreading Topsoil

    Like the right brand and composition, choosing the right lawn tools for the job is also vital for your lawns health. While a rake can help you evenly spread the topsoil, you can use your hands for some tasks if you are working in a small garden. The right tools also vary from landscape to landscape, depending on the area you have to cover.

    For a small area like a home garden, you would require a hand tiller or fork, rake, planting hoe, and a shovel. In the case of the medium area or large yard, you will need a rolling aerator, a specific rake for a larger yard, a wheelbarrow, and a mini push spreader. For a large area, a golf course, for instance, you can get the job done using a pull-behind spreader, a special golf course machine and a landscape rock rake about 5 feet wide.

    Final Tips And Takeaways:

    Growing a garden is a passion that anyone can take on at any time. If you dream of having more flowers, fruits, and vegetables, or are just sick of looking at brown grass, then take matters into your own hands and create a lifelong meditative practice of gardening.

    A few final words of wisdom regarding topsoil are:

    • Re-examine the topsoil and be sure there are aeration holes and the low spots are all covered. Make sure it is evenly spread and not cutting off the air supply to the roots.
    • Be careful combining sand and clay soil as they can stick together and form a solid substance that ruins the entire garden.
    • A combination of topsoil and compost will be the best option for retaining moisture and allowing aeration.
    • If using compost, allow it to develop for a full six months before adding it to topsoil.

    Read Also: How To Eliminate Ants In Lawn

    Use A Rolling Peat Moss Spreader To Spread The Compost

    These cool spreaders have a rotating barrel-like structure with metal mesh openings. They are traditionally used to spread peat moss , but they also work great for distributing compost. Simply fill the rolling barrel with compost and walk up and down your lawn while pulling or pushing the barrel. The compost drops out of the mesh openings and onto your lawn. They cost a couple hundred dollars but are well worth the investment if you have a medium-size lawn. They work best with compost that is dry and screened.

    How To Top Dress Your Lawn

    Top Dressing and Top Soiling your Lawn

    Make your lawn top dressing

    Once the turf has been cleared and aerated the top dressing will need to be prepared. As mentioned this can consist of a mix of materials depending on the existing soil composition and health, such as: sand, loam, topsoil or peat. Any sand used should not contain lime and all ingredients should be dry and sifted before use to remove any large clumps. Alternatively you can buy a ready-made top dressing such as Miracle-Gro EverGreen Lawn Dressing.

    Before the top dressing can be applied the grass will need to have been recently cutto allow the dressing to penetrate the existing topsoil without causing damage to the grass. After cutting, walk around the lawn raking and loosening bare patches.

    Applying your lawn top dressing

    When you are happy with the consistency and ratio of ingredients, you are ready to start applying top dressing to your turf. It is easiest to work a few feet at a time making sure the mixture is spread evenly across the whole surface. The best technique to evenly distribute the mixture is to use both sides of a heavy garden rake, gently working the mix into the aeration holes with the tine side, and spreading it out with the flat side.

    The top dressing should preferably be no more than a couple of centimetres in depth, allowing the tips of the blades of grass to be visibly poking through.

    Allow the top dressing to settle for a few days before gently running the rake across the surface to smooth out any developed bumps or hollows.

    You May Like: How To Weed And Feed My Lawn

    RELATED ARTICLES
    - Advertisment -

    Popular Articles

    What Is Rgs For Lawns

    - Advertisment -