Gardeners in the UK are always searching for ways to improve the appearance of their grass lawn, but some methods are better than others. One way to enhance the health and growth of your garden lawn is to lay down some grass seed and topsoil, however, there are some things you need to consider before mixing topsoil and grass seed together.
In this gardeners guide, we tell you whether you should mix grass seed with topsoil, how deep grass seeds need to be planted, the best topsoil to use for projects in the garden and the benefits you can expect to see when spreading topsoil and grass seed on your lawn.
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Should you mix grass seed with topsoil?
If you’re looking for a quick answer, yes, you should mix grass seed with topsoil for small areas of your garden and other applications. Whilst you can mix the two, it isn’t the best method for all situations.
Mixing grass seed with turf and lawn topsoil is the best way to spot-apply seed to small patches and thinning areas of your garden lawn, however, if you’re wanting to grow grass in larger areas, the best method is to simply put a small layer of topsoil (2-3cm) down first, then use a grass-spreader to evenly apply your grass seed.
Do you put topsoil down before or after seeding?
If you’re using the latter method (separating grass seed and topsoil), you may wonder whether you should put topsoil down before or after applying the seed. 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.
Grass seeds are very small, and they are sensitive while in the germination stage, which means you could end up suffocating the grass seedlings before they have a chance to grow. Whilst some plant seeds like to be covered to germinate, spread grass seeds need to be at surface level for the seeds to grow.
See our guide on the growth of grass when mixed with topsoil for further reading.
How deep should grass seeds be planted?
When mixing topsoil and grass seed together, you need to ensure the area you’re covering is small enough for the seedlings to be near the top of the mixture. As a rule of thumb, gardeners should plant grass seeds around 0.5cm or ¼ of an inch deep into topsoil to encourage grass growth.
Keeping the depth at this measurement ensures the grass seed is slightly covered to help germination and allows the grass to grow through the topsoil.
What is the best topsoil to mix with grass seed?
Combining grass seed and topsoil together needs to be carefully considered as grass seedlings need a moist and well-aerated environment to grow. The best topsoil to mix grass seed with needs to be rich in organic material, high levels of nutrients and minerals, moisture-retaining and peat-free. Preferably the topsoil should be screened to at least 20mm.
Our Turf and Lawn Topsoil is a dark, fine and friable organic-rich blend, full of essential nutrients and minerals, and with its high versatility and low maintenance nature, it is the ideal topsoil for mixing grass seed into.
Benefits of mixing grass seed with topsoil
Mixing grass seed with topsoil has a vast range of benefits not only for your garden but for yourself also!
- Adds nutrient-rich soil to your garden
- Easy to transport and move around
- Saves time and hassle for gardeners
- Avoids over-application of grass seed
- Helps improve the health and appearance of your garden
- Ready-to-go mixture for quick fixes
Where can I purchase topsoil from?
Alsoils+ has been servicing domestic and trade customers on the South Coast for over 35 years with the highest quality topsoil, leaving you safe in the knowledge that we can cater for your needs. We supply premium topsoil that is suitable for lawns, growing vegetables and other purposes, so you can be sure your garden is given the love it deserves.
