Hey everyone! I'm embarking on my first gardening project and I've run into a bit of a mess. My garden is looking pretty rough, with a lot of patchy and dead grass. I was wondering if it's okay to just pour some top soil over the existing grass and then spread some grass seeds on top without running into any problems. Or is there a better way to handle this? Also, just to add, I've noticed there's a lot of rocks in the soil since it's a new build. Any guidance would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You might want to consider using a higher quality soil mix, like loam or turfing topsoil, instead of basic topsoil. Basic varieties often lack good organic material and drainage. If there's too much rock or bad drainage underneath, it's worth addressing that before adding more soil. Make sure to also check if the area is waterlogged; even good soil struggles if the drainage is off.
It's totally fine to add topsoil over the old grass! Just make sure to dig out any big rocks you can find first—it’ll make a huge difference. Since it's a new build, you might be surprised by how much junk is buried in the soil. Adding a thin layer of topsoil or compost can really help your grass sprout back. You could even mix some grass seeds with the topsoil or compost before spreading it. Just remember, this is best done in early spring, so you're right on time!
Thanks for the tip! How often should I water the topsoil and seeds once I do this?
Got it! How would I go about fixing drainage issues if they come up?