Adding topsoil to an existing lawn does involve a careful process, and there are a couple of little things you should know before you go ahead with it. Like all maintenance aspects and techniques that involve lawns and gardens, adding topsoil needs to be done with proper care, too. Read on to find the basics of adding topsoil, such as what you should and should not be doing before, during, and after the process, as well as how much topsoil you should be adding, and how the whole process works.
Adding topsoil over a lawn is also known as topdressing. People choose to topdress their lawns for many reasons. In such places, you will find water puddles or debris accumulating. Adding topsoil is a great way to fix these issues associated with earth and grass. A properly topdressed lawn will look as good as new, with even layers of earth spread gently across your entire lawn area.
Yes, your existing grass will grow through quite nicely, given that the whole process of topdressing is carried out correctly. Additionally, the amount of topsoil you use, the way it has been spread through the lawn, and how well each step of the whole process is carried out from start to finish are all key things to help your grass grow through beautifully.
If you do not carry out the process correctly, you may not succeed in getting your grass to grow through as it should. This could lead to a whole lot of new problems altogether, which could cost you money, time, and cause endless hassle. Thus, it is important to focus on doing a good, clean job adding the topsoil. As long as you do this from the beginning, you will have your grass growing without a problem.
Topsoil purchased from another area may have a better texture or greater fertility than the existing soil in your yard, but it will create a layer on top of that soil that water cannot penetrate easily. The best sources of topsoil are local, but avoid topsoil from non-organic farms or agricultural businesses because it may contain pesticide or herbicide residue. The U. Therefore, inspect the topsoil you consider purchasing; check it for materials you don't want on your lawn, and ask the seller about the soil's source and how the land it came from was used.
Topdressing a lawn puts enough strain on the grass that it could kill part or all of the grass. The best time to add topsoil to a lawn is a few weeks after the grass has begun growing actively. Growing grass recovers from the strain of new soil more effectively than dormant grass. As organic matter breaks down, it filters through the existing soil to improve texture and overall health. Top-dressing can:.
It can be done all at once, or in stages. I know one meticulous gardener who top-dresses small patches as he finds them, whereas I brought in a truckload of top-dressing mixture and had an autumn marathon. Lawns should be aerated every years, and if yours is due, start with a nice core aeration. Core aeration removes plugs of soil from the ground and leaves channels for air, water, and our top-dressing mixture to penetrate the surface. For more information, see our article on Adventures in Aeration.
For average loamy soil, mix these three ingredients equally. For sandy soil, reduce the sand. Another option is to purchase high-quality top-dressing mixture or bagged lawn soil. Check with your local landscape supply yard — they often have a blended topsoil mixture on hand.
Working a few square feet at a time, shovel out a small mound maybe shovelfuls of mixture onto your lawn. Spread the soil using something flat, like the back side of a heavy garden rake, working it into aeration holes and covering low spots. Keep working the mixture until your grass peeks through and the depth is even. I like to flip the garden rake back and forth from the flat side to the tine side, carefully combing the grass to get the top-dressing mixture settled on the soil surface.
For low spots requiring more than a couple of inches of top-dressing, first remove the existing sod to prevent underground decay that can damage new grass seedlings.
After filling in the low spot, either replace the old sod or re-seed the area. You can also address deeper spots by adding a couple of inches of top-dressing each year, slowly building it up over time. I would recommend watering the area well or top-dressing before a nice rain , letting the mixture settle for a day or two, then go back with your rake and smooth out any little hollows or bumps that may develop.
Now you can replant grass in any bare spots. Existing grass should be able to grow through as much as an inch of top-dressing. Trouble spots may need repeat applications, but regular, uniform top-dressing does not need to be an annual tradition.
Plan several light applications for troublesome yards, rather than one deep one. For overall organic soil amendment, a very light application of top-dressing brushed into aeration holes can improve the soil without raising the grade. Any clues as to why?? Hi Gail, I just tried printing it click on print button, then click on the print button on your computer , and it worked okay for me.
Very Good! I was thinking this would be the way to improve the soil. I am going to get a load of really good organic soil delivered to our place. I hope also rototilling a few inches of good organic soil into concrete-like non organic soil that is hardly letting our grass grow in some areas will improve it. I am thinking topdressing, mix in some seed,and slowly bring back somewhat of a healthy mix.
Then maybe adding some weed and feed to gradually make more improvement. Ffor a large area, is there a way to mechanically spread the soil, such as with the types of spreaders used to apply fertilzer?
Could I use a regular Spreader and buy some dry or let dry before using, top dressing and just make multable passes with the spreader on my lawn every few weeks to improve my lawn.
Using this process might take a long time but growing grass in CLAY is not happening. Thank you, Jerry. The gypsum allows the clay to soften and the water percolate through the clay and breaks down the clay. What can i do? I have still got holes showing in my lawn after aerating removing deep plugs,I have top dressed it with 4 parts sand to one of topsoil my lawn is on a lot of clay will these holes fill in naturally?
Many thanks. I am in a new home less than two years. I am told my soil is sandy loam but it is vey high in sand content and it since I saw the home being built, I know that the soil is the same consistency as deep as they dug to put in my basement.
Water just seems to go straight to China. I plan to add top-dressing over several years. I am bordered on two sides by farm fields so I have quite a bit of weeds and field grass. I am very hesitant to aerate. What to do in Florida sandy soil area where runoff has taken quite a bit away and is showing large roots?
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