If you are planning gardening or a landscaping project, it is essential to understand the difference between topsoil and lawn soil. Topsoil is a general term for any soil used as a loose, upper layer of soil in a garden bed, whereas lawn soil is often made of specially blended nutrients optimized for grass growth.
Topsoil Uses Can Include Fixing Uneven and Patchy Lawns
You may even notice areas of your yard that are slightly uneven. Topsoil is a great remedy for both problems. To grow grass, simply spread topsoil across the area so it is 1 inch deep. Evenly distribute grass seeds and till the soil to combine.
While they have their similarities, garden soil is not the same as topsoil. Topsoil, as the name implies, is the very top layer of soil. Topsoil is dense with minerals and organic matter, which gives it a much darker color than other gardening soils.
To get a healthy lawn, your soil will ideally be made up of a balance of sand, silt and clay. This is called loam soil. Loam soil holds moisture but also drains well when you water the lawn. It is able to retain nutrients and allow air flow, making it the most ideal soil for plants.
But why shouldn't you use it by itself as a growing medium? Due to its poor soil structure, topsoil isn't a good medium for plant roots or even flower beds.
No plants thrive in dirt. Topsoil, on the other hand, contains natural organic matter from leaves, grasses, weeds and tree bark that can help sustain plant life. However, topsoil is not enriched or amended at all, which limits its use as a growing medium.
Topsoil Myth 4: Rich Soil Never Needs Fertilizer
Those nutrients usually need to be replenished every so often for the healthiest growth, no matter which type of soil you have. This is especially true for the soil where you grow annual flowers and vegetables, which suck up a lot of nutrients to fuel their rapid growth.
Compacted soil that inhibits nutrients including water from reaching the roots will inhibit the growth of grass. This problem can be eliminated by regular aeration. Getting sunlight and air down into the roots is absolutely crucial.
Most lawn grasses can tolerate a wide range of soil, so you do not need a lot of amendments for your topsoil if you are using it on the lawn.
The best way to do this is by adding some organic matter to the existing soil. Products such as mushroom compost, composted manures, river sand, or your own homemade organic compost will work to loosen the soil while also providing beneficial nutrients and organisms that are essential to plant health.
To fill in lawn ruts and holes, blend planting soil with sand and/or compost. Usually blending equal parts of each material forms a mix that allows grass to root effectively through the mix into existing soil. Check with your local extension agent or garden center for specific soil recommendations for your area.
roots that anchor grass to the ground also absorb nutrients and water from the soil so they can thrive. So by keeping your lawn soil in good condition, you'll establish the foundation for growing a thicker, greener lawn.
Top soil provides the nutrients and minerals your plants, vegetables and shrubs needs to flourish and grow into healthy, happy plants. There are many different uses for topsoil including using it to build gardens, fix lawns and make drainage better.
Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.
Poor soil that is hard and compacted is often the problem when it comes to growing a great lawn. When soil is too alkaline and compacted, air, water and nutrients cannot get down to the roots, and the grass will not grow properly. Lawns thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with pH levels between 6.2 and 7.0.
Many think that putting topsoil over the seeds would protect it, but in fact, that will actually suffocate the seedlings rather than doing any good. We suggest that straw, hay, or any other type of mulching material be used.
Fill dirt is a combination of natural materials, like rock, sand, and shale, used to—you guessed it—fill in a hole or change property elevation. Topsoil, on the other hand, is dirt fortified with nutrients usually used for gardens and grass.
Potting soil is sterile, which is good for indoor plants because it prohibits fungus. But outdoors, it won't retain any nutrients, in part because water leeches through it so quickly, taking what little nutrients there are with it. Grass will not thrive without rich nutrients in your garden soil.
Grass grows best in soil that has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If your soil is too acidic (below 6.0)—a common problem in cooler wet climates like the Northwest and Northeast—you can add lime to bring it up. If it's mildly alkaline (7.5 to 8.0), a little peat moss, which is naturally acidic, should correct it.
You can even do some basic soil testing yourself with a soil test kit. The ideal soil pH for most grass types is between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic (pH under 6.0), add ground limestone to the soil.
If you're wondering how to grow grass on hard packed dirt, all you have to do is transform the soil. Since hard dirt lacks air, water, and nutrients, you'll have to reintroduce air and organic matter into it. This is crucial since aftercare will do very little for your grass without the right soil preparation.
It is better to water the topsoil deeply and less frequently rather than more frequent shallow waterings. Most plants with their roots in the topsoil will benefit from this soil management approach and it will help the roots grow stronger and healthier.
You can sprinkle the all-purpose plant food around your plants. However, you should apply the granules on top of the soil and wait for absorption. This article helps you understand how to use miracle fertilizers and the effects of overusing them.
Any time you stir up soil and water it, you'll get weeds – even if added soil was "clean." Weed seeds are typically throughout topsoil, and it's when they're brought close to the surface and watered that they germinate.
Soil Depth is Crucial
Topsoil is typically thought of as the top 6 inches of soil. We recommend adding at least 2 to 3+ inches of topsoil and rototilling it 2 to 3+ inches into the existing dirt to get the recommended 6 inches depth.