Is Lawn Soil the Same Thing as Topsoil?

People often use topsoil for lawn soil and lawn soil for topsoil, but they’re quite different. Using one instead of the other can prevent your lawn from growing, limit the garden’s potential, and add unwanted debris to the yard.

Lawn soil isn’t the same thing as topsoil because lawn soil often has rocks, clay, and dirt, whereas topsoil has loose dirt, sand, and healthy microbes. Use topsoil to encourage root growth in the lawn and garden. Lawn soil is better for filling deep holes, but the top six inches should be topsoil.

In this article, I’ll explain the differences and similarities between lawn soil and topsoil. Furthermore, I’ll explain what happens when you use topsoil on your lawn.

Is Lawn Soil the Same as Topsoil?

Lawn soil has many differences compared to topsoil. Using too much lawn soil will limit your plants’ growth and cause drainage issues. However, it can promote water retention when combined with topsoil. Too much of either soil is bad, but they can be combined for optimal results.

Here are the differences between lawn soil and topsoil:

• You can spread topsoil in a spreader, but not lawn soil. Topsoil is much less dense than lawn soil. The loose topsoil falls through the mesh gate of the soil spreader. The lawn soil’s dense dirt and rocks won’t fall through the spreader, not to mention the fact that it’s likely too heavy for most spreaders.
• Lawn soil often has stones and clay in it, while topsoil is made of loose organic materials. It’s important to remove the stones from the soil to prevent them from slowing the grass growth and limiting the drainage. Topsoil should promote root growth, but lawn soil does the opposite.
• Grass seeds sprout much easier in topsoil than in lawn soil. The seedlings are fragile and need loose dirt, which is found in topsoil. The topsoil is loaded with nutrients and absorbs water, sunlight, and oxygen much better than the clay-packed lawn soil.
• Companies rarely sell lawn soil, while hundreds of brands offer topsoil and garden soil. Lawn soil is often sold to fill massive yards and level the soil for commercial and residential properties. You can grab a bag of topsoil that’s loaded with nutrients and organic materials to grow grass, flowers, trees, and more.

For example, Michigan Peat Garden Magic Topsoil works in spreaders and can be spread by hand. It’s loose and lightweight, making it perfect for new gardens and growing grass. You can also spread it on existing lawns to encourage overseeding and root growth.

Bray Topsoil and Gravel shows fill dirt and lawn soil often include clay and crushed rocks. Lawn soil is often composed of old topsoil that’s filled with stones, clay, and other natural debris. For more similarities between topsoil and lawn soil, read on.

How Is Topsoil Similar to Lawn Soil?

Topsoil is similar to lawn soil because they’re both made of dirt and other organic materials. They’re also used to fill holes around the yard, grow plants, and more. Many people switch topsoil to lawn soil once it’s compact and saturated.

Below is a handful of similarities between topsoil and lawn soil.

• Topsoil and lawn soil can both have sand in them. Topsoil usually has sand because it promotes filtration and water retention. The sand also stops weeds from growing under the grass. Many people add sand on top of bare soil to prevent weeds from pushing through the surface, too.
• People use both soils for gardens and lawns. Go Haynes explains people use garden soil, lawn soil, and topsoil in their gardens, lawns, and other areas around the yard. All of these soils are dirt-based, which means they can grow various plants. However, the type of soil determines what kind of plants can grow.
• Topsoil typically turns into lawn soil after a couple of years. The topsoil combines with rocks, seeds, and clay found in the soil to become lawn soil. It’s no longer the best option for growing new grass and other plants. However, lawn soil is dense and provides a great foundation for topsoil.
• You can add topsoil or lawn soil to a compost bin for better fertilizer. Both of these soils use dirt and other organic materials that help the compost decompose. This process is an excellent base for the nitrogen and carbon needed to make the ultimate natural fertilizer.

As you can see, topsoil and lawn soil are quite similar. It’s understandable that people would mix them up, especially if they have nutrient-dense, loose lawn soil. However, the rocks and clay in the lawn soil often make it a bit harsher for growing new grass, which is why topsoil is essential.

Can Topsoil Be Used for Lawns?

Topsoil can be used for lawns to encourage root depth, grass growth, and water retention. Make sure you overseed the lawn to prevent weeds from growing. Topsoil contains everything most weeds need to grow, so it’s best to avoid bare patches of soil.

Keep these three tips in mind when using topsoil for lawns:

1. Use topsoil to fill holes up to six inches deep. I recommend using lawn soil or filling dirt if the holes are deeper than a foot, but many professionals fill the hole until there’s a six-inch divot. Top it off with topsoil and lay the stones or seeds you want to fill the space. Never leave bare soil if you want to prevent weeds from growing.
2. If the soil is too compact or filled with clay, till it until it’s loose. Next, add the topsoil and rake it into the existing lawn soil. This process aerates the soil and cycles the nutrients. You can also use aerating boots or an aerating roller tool to loosen the soil.
3. Sprinkle a one-inch layer of topsoil on top of the lawn annually to rejuvenate the soil. Topsoil is naturally compacted by rain, settling, and the pressure of the plants and stones on it. Adding a bit of topsoil once per year can encourage plant growth, especially when you overseed the lawn.