Choose the best topsoil for growing grass in your lawn

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The foundation of a healthy, green lawn begins with the right soil. While fertiliser, mowing, and lawn care all play an essential role, soil allows grass roots to absorb water, nutrients, and oxygen. If your soil is poor or compacted, your lawn may struggle to grow evenly, leaving patches and weak areas. Choosing the best soil for lawns helps you establish turf, seed a new lawn, or restore an existing lawn back to full health. 

This guide explains what type of soil is best for growing grass, why loam soil is recommended, and how to improve soil quality for long-term lawn success.

What’s the best soil for lawns?

Loam soil, a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, is the best soil for lawns. It drains water effectively, retains enough moisture for grass roots, and provides essential nutrients, making it the ideal topsoil for growing grass and turf.

Loam soil is considered the best lawn soil because it combines the benefits of different soil types. Sand improves drainage, clay helps retain moisture, and silt adds fertility. Together, this mix creates a soil structure that supports strong grass growth. 

A slightly acidic to neutral pH level (around 6.5–7) is also ideal for lawn soil, ensuring nutrients are available to the grass roots. Compared to sandy soil that drains too fast or clay soil that compacts easily, loamy soil offers the best balance for a resilient, healthy lawn.

What are the different lawn soil types?

Not all soil is created equal, and knowing the differences helps you choose the best lawn soil for strong, even grass growth. The three main types of soil are clay, sand, and loam. Each has distinct qualities that affect drainage, nutrient availability, and how well your lawn can grow. For more guidance, Data Vic provides soil type mapping in Victoria.

Best topsoil for growing grass and new turf

When you want to plant grass seed or lay new turf, the type of topsoil you choose can make all the difference. The best topsoil for growing grass is a sandy loam enriched with organic compost. This combination drains water efficiently, prevents compaction, and still holds enough moisture for grass roots to develop deeply.

Good topsoil also provides the essential nutrients your lawn needs to establish quickly. Before putting down new turf, spreading a layer of high-quality topsoil creates a strong underlay that supports grass growth. For seeding a new lawn, loamy topsoil helps grass seed germinate evenly and grow into a resilient lawn. If you are filling a hole or patch in an existing lawn, mix topsoil and compost to improve soil quality and encourage healthy regrowth.

Improving soil quality for a healthy lawn

Improving soil quality is one of the best ways to create a strong, green lawn. Even the best topsoil needs ongoing care to maintain structure, drainage, and nutrients. By making simple changes to your current soil, you can support grass roots, improve soil fertility, and achieve consistent growth.

1. Test your soil – According to Agriculture Victoria, understanding soil types is key to good soil management. Use a kit to identify soil type and pH level. Aim for a balance around 6.5–7 so essential nutrients are available. Adjustments may be needed before laying new DNA Certified Sir Walter Buffalo.
2. Aerate compacted areas – Aeration improves drainage and allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach deeper into the soil, encouraging stronger grass roots. Another option is to use a wetting agent to improve water retention in the soil, as well as allowing the roots greater access to nutrients in the soil.
3. Add organic compost – A thin layer of compost improves soil fertility and structure, helping poor soil retain moisture while avoiding waterlogging.
4. Top up with quality topsoil – Use sandy loam topsoil to fill holes or level uneven areas. A light layer improves drainage and keeps your soil fertile.
5. Balance nutrients with fertiliser – Apply a slow-release fertiliser to deliver specific nutrients and improve soil fertility without overwhelming the lawn.
6. Dethatch and water – Removing thatch and watering in amendments helps nutrients settle evenly across your lawn, improving soil quality and ensuring healthy grass growth.

Lawn top dressing: when and why to use it

Lawn top dressing is the practice of applying a thin layer of soil, sand, or a blended mix across the surface of your lawn. The goal is not to fully cover the grass, but to improve soil quality, reduce compaction, and create a more level lawn surface. A light application helps nutrients move deeper, supports root growth and improves the soil environment.

When to top dress your lawn:

• Level out uneven areas – Use a light layer of sandy loam or organic compost to fill holes and smooth the lawn surface.
• Improve soil structure – Topdressing helps restore poor soil and improve drainage and fertility. This is especially valuable when establishing Sir Grange Zoysia or other premium turf varieties.
• Reduce compaction – Adding topsoil after aeration prevents the soil from compacting again and improves grass growth.
• Best time – Apply in spring or early summer when the grass is actively growing. Avoid winter or periods of heavy rain, which may cause waterlogging.

Apply no more than 3–5 mm at a time so sunlight still reaches the grass blades. Done correctly, top dressing helps improve soil quality and keeps your lawn healthy.

How to choose the right soil for lawn care?

Choosing the right soil for lawn care helps you grow a resilient, green lawn. Use this checklist to identify the best soil for lawn health and turf growth:

• Choose loam soil – Loam contains the right proportions of sand, silt, and clay, giving your lawn soil both drainage and fertility.
• Avoid poor garden soil – Garden soil also lacks the structure and nutrient balance that lawns need. Instead, start with quality soil designed for turf.
• Check soil drainage – Soil for lawn must drain water effectively while retaining enough moisture to support grass roots.
• Use sandy loam as top soil – To encourage even grass growth, apply sandy loam as the top layer of your soil for a new lawn or repair.
• Improve existing soil – Blend in organic compost or organic material to improve soil fertility and pH balance.

Following this checklist, you can choose the right lawn soil and prepare a strong foundation for long-term lawn care.

Best topsoil tips for growing grass and turf

Good topsoil differentiates between patchy growth and a healthy, green lawn. Use these key points to guide your lawn care routine:

• Select quality topsoil – The best topsoil for growing grass is sandy loam enriched with compost, which provides drainage and essential nutrients.
• Avoid a thick layer – Spread evenly with a rake or spreader, keeping applications light to prevent smothering turf.
• Improve existing soil – After aeration or dethatching, apply a thin top-dressing layer to improve soil structure and water drainage.
• Check soil properly – Test pH balance and add organic material to enhance fertility and grass growth.
• Look to golf course standards – Golf course lawns use high-quality topsoil and topdressing to keep grass resilient and well-maintained.

You can grow a healthy lawn through the seasons by using quality soil and applying these tips. Explore our instant lawn varieties, including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo and TifTuf Bermuda, for tailored advice and premium turf suited to Victorian conditions.