What is topsoil and how is it different from other kinds of soil? The distinction is very important if you want to grade your lawn the right way and make it look visually pleasing. The use of topsoil as its name implies comes to fruition when you are trying to install a new lawn or revitalizing an old one. If you’ve ever been to a riverbank you probably have noticed different layers of soil, the upper layer is very dark and lush. That is what you’d call topsoil. In soil classification, it’s also known as the A or O horizon. It is defined by the top 2 to 7inches of spoil having the most amount of organic matter and microorganism.
The soil that you end up choosing will make a big impact on how well the flowers and grass will grow. If you already have top spoil on your garden or yard, you might not want to remove them but more often than not it’s the most practical solution. So, let’s explain how you shall proceed to grade your lawn with new topsoil.
Preparing the site
The very first thing that we would suggest is to call any local utilities to mark the buried lines on your property which takes around 2-3 days. You should remove rocks, peddles, and branches while you wait for the marking. To remove your lawn, use a sod cutter, and if you wish to reuse the topsoil, it’s a great idea to take a sample of the soil which will help to assess the fertilizer kinds you may need to add. Having done the sampling, you can proceed to remove the topsoil with a skid steer loader. Make sure to target for 5-6 inches of depth. Once you are done with the removal process keep the topsoil at the side or a location where you will have easy access once you want to reuse it.
Fundamentals of Grading and Drainage
You will find high and low levels in the subsoil while you are grading. To level the soil, you can transfer soil from the higher areas to the lower ones. After you have exposed the subsoil make sure to remove the remains of old organic content which can cause soft spots if left unattended. If you find areas in your yard that are hard and compacted for roots to penetrate use a shovel to break the hardpan and then proceed with adding fill dirt as required, to the hardpan areas and soft spots. Once the subsoil has sloped away from your house at around 2 percent (a drop of around 2 feet for every 100 feet away from your house) you can rebuild the top layer of the soil.
Refining the soil
You need to loosen the top layer of the soil with a garden tiller and you can add fertilizer right after. If the soil is too dense and has clay content just add sandy soil to improve drainage. Use a tiller for a second time and it will help mix the old and new elements together for greater distribution. Remove leaves, rocks, and branches.
Topsoil Replacement
The final part is replacing the topsoil. If you removed topsoil from your yard earlier you can reapply the soil or you can choose to buy new topsoil from good topsoil delivery companies if the quality of the old soil isn’t that great. While adding the topsoil you need to create around a 2-inch transition layer in between the subsoil and topsoil. You can add 2 inches of topsoil to your subsoil until they mix together. Finish the process by adding the remaining of the topsoil. Once you have applied the topsoil and leveled the uneven parts you should be able to grow grass or flowers. As a reminder, you should keep in mind that topsoil gets compacted by up to half percent in 300 days and you might need to revisit your yard and add some extra topsoil to negate the negative effects. Grading your garden with new topsoil is a hard process and if you are not confident in your abilities, hire a professional to do the job for you.