Spreading topsoil across your yard may seem like a simple way to protect your newly spread grass seeds from hungry birds, but these small seeds cannot force their way through heavy earth. In fact, a topsoil layer effectively suffocates your lawn before it even has a chance to grow. Proper soil preparation, seeding techniques and mulching provide the best protection against seed and seedling loss.
Seed Sprouting Habit
Depending on the variety, most grass seeds have an small, oblong shape. Unlike larger seed types, grass sprouts cannot push through a thick soil layer because the new growth is tiny and sensitive. However, the seed cannot be fully exposed on the soil's surface either. Grasses depend on a warm soil niche with surrounding moisture for germination. Grass seed swells as it absorbs this moisture and produces a seedling ready for photosynthesis and rapid growth.
Ideal Seeding Depth
The best location for new grass seeds is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the soil's surface. Typically, you disperse seeds with a drop spreader or by hand. As the seeds make contact with the ground, they are still fully exposed to heat and wind damage. Once you uniformly cover the ground with seeds, use a lawn roller or garden rake to move the seeds further into the soil. Because of the shallow planting space, you do not need to create furrows or cover the ground with extensive topsoil. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, you should only see about 10 percent of a grass seed's shape above ground when it is properly tilled into the topsoil. As a result, your grass seeds should emerge in about three weeks, depending on the variety.
Amending Topsoil
Your topsoil is extremely important to your grass seeds but should be amended prior to any seed dispersal. In general, work about 4 inches of organic material, like compost, into your topsoil. This nutrient-rich addition provides a fertile soil environment for the top 8 inches of soil. A slow-release, starter fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should also be tilled into the soil for the best start to your grass seedlings. To be completely sure that your topsoil is ready for seeding, press a pH meter into the ground to verify a slightly acidic environment with a pH between 6 and 7. By maintaining a friable and fertile topsoil habitat, your seeds have the best chance for vigorous growth and establishment.
Mulch and Water
Instead of looking to topsoil as a protective layer, use straw as a mulching alternative. By spreading a 1/4-inch-deep straw layer across the seeds, you prevent wind and pest damage while providing moisture retention. To maintain a consistent, misty watering regimen during germination and seedling growth, the first 1/2 inch of earth needs to remain damp but not soggy. Straw allows some evaporation to prevent rot and standing water while hindering drought conditions damaging to grass growth. As the straw degrades into the soil, it adds more nutrients for grass establishment.
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r/HomeImprovement
Posted by8 years ago
Archived
My wife bought WAY more Miracle-Gro garden soil than we needed for our garden. I need to reseed certain parts of the lawn and was wondering if I could use the garden soil in place of top soil? Bone head idea? Should I just return it and get top soil?
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level 1
More expensive than using fill dirt, but you've got a better chance of not getting a bag of sludge like the stores around me sell.
level 1
It will work. But we try to avoid soil with high organic content for seed germination and top dressing. This is because mold/fungus love this stuff. Since you're germinating seeds you'll be watering 3 times a day. The perfect environment for disease.
level 2
So it would lead to a destruction of the seeds? Or would it lead to increased weed production?
level 1
You might end up growing more than grass, but it will work just fine.
level 2
haha I assume you mean weeds. Or weed. I'd be OK with that.
level 1
This might be a dumb question but can't you just return the extra bags
level 2
Not a dumb question. I'm lazy and don't feel like loading the bags, returning them, loading the new bags and driving home.
level 1
It will work just fine. Probably better than top soil
level 1
Everything I've read about Miracle Gro soil says it is often infested with black gnats. I would avoid that brand and try to find some soil that is locally produced.
level 2
ugh. This makes me want to take everything back.