Nutrient-rich topsoil is essential for a healthy lawn.

If the topsoil in your landscape has little or no nutrients – or if it contains the wrong type of nutrients – grass and other plants may struggle to grow in it.

With that said, there are a few things you should know when using topsoil in your landscape.

If you’re thinking about applying topsoil to your landscape, consider the five following tips.

#1) Only Use in Areas Where It’s Needed

It’s unlikely that your entire landscape needs new topsoil. Rather, you should only apply it to areas where it’s needed.

Patches of brown or otherwise discolored grass often indicate low-quality topsoil. As a result, you should consider applying topsoil to areas of discoloration such as this.

#2) Aerate Before Adding

It’s a good idea to aerate your landscape before adding new topsoil.

Aeration involves scoring the ground with many small and shallow holes. You can aerate your landscape using a walk-behind or motorized aerator.

As the respective tool digs small and shallow holes, it will mix up the underlying soil. The topsoil will then mix with the existing soil to create an ideal growing environment for grass and plants.

#3) Choose the Right Type

Of course, you should choose the right type of topsoil for your landscape.

A good rule of thumb is to use topsoil with a similar formula of nutrients and minerals as that of your landscape.

If you’re struggling to find the right type of topsoil for your landscape, visit a local plant nursery and ask for a recommendation.

They should be able to point you to appropriate topsoil that works for landscapes in your region’s climate.

#4) Distribute Evenly

Don’t forget to distribute the new topsoil evenly when applying it to your landscape.

Don’t just dump a load of topsoil into the middle of your landscape and call it day. To promote a healthy landscape, you should distribute the topsoil evenly.

#5) Spread New Seed

After applying the new topsoil to your landscape, you should seed it with new grass.

The new topsoil may smother some of your landscape’s existing grass, causing it to die. Ensuring the topsoil is evenly distributed can offer some level of protection to existing grass, but it’s not a foolproof solution.

Instead, you should reseed the areas of your landscape in which you apply the new topsoil.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or