Blended loam topsoil, lawn seeding topsoil, and regular screened topsoil are some of the most commonly used types of topsoil for use on lawns.
Applying the right topdressing for your lawn
So go for a topdressing mixture consisting of two parts loam, one part peat and four parts sand. Loam-based soil usually falls into the perfect middle. For it, you can use a mixture which contains three parts loam, one part peat & three parts sand.
A sand-soil mixture is the best soil type for leveling lawns. Because it will help your lawn grow after leveling. This is considerably better than putting pure sand in a lawn area without any kind of combination. Sand-soil combinations contain nutrients and have a long-lasting capacity to retain water.
Premium grade topsoil is the finest quality of topsoil that is available out there. It does not contain any weed seeds, metals, or diseases. This makes it highly fertile and perfectly suited for young lawns and new plants.
Compost and Screened Loam with Organics are ideal choices if you're seeding or trying to improve soil conditions. Sand is the ideal choice if you're just trying to smooth out bumpy areas.
'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them. ' 'Leaves, straw, and peat moss can be used to help hold moisture for the seed to germinate and grow,' adds James.
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.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 Topsoil? #1 Topsoil - Compost enriched blend of sandy loam soil. It is used mainly in vegetable gardens, flower beds and topdressing existing lawns. #2 Topsoil - Heavier based topsoil used for seeding, sodding and building up low areas.
There are three basic types of soil that you can use in your garden: clay, sand, and loam. Each soil has its own unique properties and are best for different situations. Clay is soil that is made up of very small particles. It holds water extremely well, but does not drain easily.
Types Of Topsoil
There are six main soil groups: clay, sandy, silty, peaty, chalky, and loamy. They each have their own unique properties.
Compost is the most recommended material to use, as long as it is finished and has few fillers. It is common for homeowners to use a mix of the above materials to create a cost-effective blend that is comparable to their existing soil. Most often, a blend of compost and either topsoil/sand is recommended.
Prepare a 50/50 mix of dry topsoil and fine sand in a wheelbarrow. Make sure that the mixture is dry before continuing. Use a shovel to scoop up mixture and fill in low areas of the lawn.
To install a new lawn, plan to spread a layer of 3 to 6 inches of topsoil before sowing seed or laying sod, depending on the quality of your existing soil.
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.
Loam soil is widely regarded as the healthiest soil to grow plants in. It has a rich, dark brown appearance that feels moist and can often be clumped into a crumbly ball. It contains a balanced blend of other soils with the standard mix being about 20% clay, 40% silt, and 40% sand.
Triple mix soil generally consists of 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 compost. This triple mix combination is widely known as meeting most planting needs. Due to the moss and compost, it is more airy than regular topsoil, which is excellent for your plants – as it holds more air and water.
The main disadvantages of topsoil are that it can be difficult to predict its quality, it may contain pollutants and weed seeds, and it can be expensive. The quality of topsoil can vary greatly depending on the region and the supplier.
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.
It's best to use it wherever you're lacking soil, for example, to fill in a low spot in your lawn, or as a base layer in a new garden that's missing a foundation of soil. If you use topsoil in a garden, you'd still have to add additional compost or manure to help your plants thrive.
Most types of grass can grow through 2 inches of topsoil placed on top of it if the existing established plants are healthy. Grass often grows through topsoil when a thinner layer of topsoil is placed on top of an old lawn.
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 80 square feet at 4 inches deep and 40 square feet at 8 inches deep. So, for a typical standard-size lawn of 1,000 square feet, you would need approximately 12.5 cubic yards, or 17 tons, of topsoil to cover the entire lawn at 4 inches deep.
Topsoils can vary in screening sizes, therefore some topsoils may be denser than others. Generally speaking, 1 tonne of topsoil will cover 0.63 cubic metres or 22 cubic feet or 0.81 cubic yards. Our bags of topsoil come in sizes of 0.75m³, meaning you'll get just over a tonne of soil per bag!
If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. Thoroughly rake the area to remove any loose debris and to create grooves in the soil. These grooves will help increase the seed-to-soil contact that is imperative for germination.
Reinvigorate Your Lawn
By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again.
You should apply a 2-3cm layer of topsoil before laying down grass seed as the new grass shoots won't be able to push through the topsoil.