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.
Some topsoils sold in bulk will have compost added. Or you can buy it in bags, usually weighing 20 to 40 lbs. You can apply topsoil anytime, but most gardeners like to add it in spring before planting.
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.
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.
Good topsoil contains the necessary nutrients for your plants to survive. It can help protect plants and seedlings, as well as correct soil issues like improper pH levels (if the purchased topsoil contains certain ingredients that can help, like limestone).
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.
You certainly can use topsoil for potted plants, but that doesn't mean you should. If you do, your plant probably won't get the nutrients it needs, won't grow at the rate you expect and will be likely to die sooner. The best topsoil for vegetable gardens may not be topsoil at all.
Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass.
Good quality topsoil contains a rich mix of nutrients necessary for healthy plants. It appears darker than subsoil because of the organic matter it contains. The right type of topsoil retains water as well as nutrients, promoting healthy plant growth. A rich layer of quality topsoil ensures healthy lawns and gardens.
If you're looking for a short answer, then yes, you can put topsoil over grass and existing garden lawns. Although it's possible for grass to grow through the topsoil, this can only be successful depending on the thickness of topsoil applied as a top dressing.
Whereas topsoil is better suited for a wide range of projects, gardening soil usually fits more of a niche need, sometimes even plant-specific needs. Gardening soil is a combination of a mixture of soils and textures that is designed to target a specific type of gardening project.
Degraded soil makes growing food more difficult and expensive. Without healthy soil, farmers won't be able to grow nutrient-dense food to feed our growing population. The calculated loss in the region is part of a critical issue; some experts suspect that Earth will run out of usable topsoil within 60 years.
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.
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.
Be sure to mow your lawn the day before applying the top dressing and rake up and remove any debris to allow the nutrients to effectively penetrate into the soil.
To start off you will need to clear the existing area before laying down your new soil. Then lightly turn over approximately the top 5 inches of the existing soil, this will loosen the ground and help make sure you get the best from your new topsoil.
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.
Topsoil is dense with minerals and organic matter, which gives it a much darker color than other gardening soils. Some might argue that topsoil is the most valuable soil layer in your garden. Garden soil is used as an additive to replenish the nutrients and organic materials in your garden.
'Topsoil is rich in nutrients, making it the most fertile type of soil. It is generally used when establishing new gardens, lawns, or landscapes,' says Stephen Sullivan editor at the Plant Native. 'It is particularly beneficial in areas with poor soil quality,' he says.
Usually, 8 inches of topsoil is needed to fill a new garden bed or raised bed. If you intend to add topsoil to your lawn, you will need approximately 4-6 inches of topsoil to give you the healthy lawn you desire.
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.
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.
However, if you'd like to use topsoil as gardening soil for cultivating vegetable gardens, you can create a 50-50 soil mix with native soil for improved aeration and drainage. But why shouldn't you use it by itself as a growing medium?