You’re getting ready to lay sod, and want to give your new turf the best chance to thrive you can. For many homeowners, this raises the question: Do you need to add topsoil before laying sod?
There isn’t a clear-cut answer, but generally speaking, amending your yard’s soil with a layer of topsoil is usually a good idea. Topsoil supports strong turf growth by giving your lawn soil that’s better suited for storing water and nutrients. Yards that are amended with topsoil typically need to be watered and fertilized less frequently once your turf matures.
If you’re going to the expense of purchasing topsoil, you’ll want to make sure it’s the soil best suited for your needs. Topsoil is typically darker and richer than other strata of soil, thanks to the high concentration of composting organic matter in it. Purchased topsoil should be relatively free of debris and rocks. While topsoil blends vary between suppliers, we recommend you find one with about 10 percent organic material.
It can be expensive, but don’t skimp on it: You’ll need to spread 3-4 inches of topsoil over the area to be sodded for it to have maximum impact. It’s vital that after spreading topsoil, you use a tiller to mix it with your existing soil. If you fail to mix it into the existing soil, it forms a layer on top of regular soil. Your new sod’s roots will grow in the new layer of topsoil, but often don’t take root deeper, leaving your root system weak.
Adding topsoil is just one of the steps you’ll need to tackle when you prepare your soil for sod. Use BigFoot Turf’s comprehensive guide to preparing soil http://www.bigfootturf.com/how-to/prepare-soil
To help prepare your yard for the installation. BigFoot Turf provides sod to homeowners in Colorado’s Front Range. Contact us at 800.284.6000 for an estimate or to get your project moving.
