Do Your Homework!
Each plant, seed, lawn and environment is different and the following are simply guidelines. Visions Landscape Supply can give opinions but we are NOT responsible for what you order or pick up. It is best to come to our store and look at all of our products in person and make a decision on what works best for you. DO YOUR HOMEWORK - You need to make your own decisions based on your own research or consult with a professional landscaper on your specific soil needs. Before ordering or picking up any materials, make sure you understand what you are getting and what is best for your plants, lawn, garden, etc. Please note, wet, damp or humid, soil may have clumps that will break apart once it is dry and crushed. We recommend to till all soils into your existing soil for best results. Our goal is to have a satisfied customer.
TOP DRESSING CURRENT LAWN
1. Aerate (this allows holes for the compost to fall into and settle for penetration).
2. Only use about 1/4" compost OR compost and sand blend (don't use too much as it can smother the lawn). You can use 1/2" of compost, however that is the max and only if your grass is already 2 1/2" thick. NEVER USE TOPSOIL for top dressing, unless you are fully renovating your lawn.
3. Water or irrigate your lawn to allow compost to settle in the aerated holes.
4. Keep moist but follow the instructions for your specific plants, seed or sod.
2. Only use about 1/4" compost OR compost and sand blend (don't use too much as it can smother the lawn). You can use 1/2" of compost, however that is the max and only if your grass is already 2 1/2" thick. NEVER USE TOPSOIL for top dressing, unless you are fully renovating your lawn.
3. Water or irrigate your lawn to allow compost to settle in the aerated holes.
4. Keep moist but follow the instructions for your specific plants, seed or sod.
PLANT NEW GRASS
1. Are you going to kill the old grass? Customers do not have to but it is a good idea to get weeds out before tilling.
"TAT" RULE: T=TILL; A=Add/Amend; T=TILL Again
2. Till current soil as deep as you can (minimum 3" to 4"). If you can till fairly easy you can use compost - if you can't till well, use Premium Plant Mix.
3. Amend/Add the NEW Compost or Premium Plant Mix on top of the tilled existing soil.
4. Till the NEW Compost or Premium Plant Mix soil into the existing soil to get a good homogeneous mix (mix and blend well).
5. Level the soil with a rake and pull out any sticks/rocks if using the Premium Plant Mix soil, because, remember we use a 1/2" or less screen for our topsoil as small things will get through.
6. Put down seed. (Follow seed or sod instructions).
7. Use a roller to press the seed down into the Compost/Soil or wet the area, to insure a good "Seed/Soil Contact".
8. Use erosion control matting to cover and to hold seed in place. We don't recommend the use of wheat straw as it can possibly introduce weeds into your lawn. (If there are inclines, there is a possibility of "washout" of soil, in a hard rain).
9. Make sure you water, keep moist and follow the instructions for your plants/seed/sod.
10. Use 10% Rule. Ex: If you believe you'll need 5 cubic yards you may need a little more because we've never seen anyone spread a 1/4" evenly and people usually run out. Most anyone can grow grass (fescue) in the Fall season because it's cooler.
"TAT" RULE: T=TILL; A=Add/Amend; T=TILL Again
2. Till current soil as deep as you can (minimum 3" to 4"). If you can till fairly easy you can use compost - if you can't till well, use Premium Plant Mix.
3. Amend/Add the NEW Compost or Premium Plant Mix on top of the tilled existing soil.
4. Till the NEW Compost or Premium Plant Mix soil into the existing soil to get a good homogeneous mix (mix and blend well).
5. Level the soil with a rake and pull out any sticks/rocks if using the Premium Plant Mix soil, because, remember we use a 1/2" or less screen for our topsoil as small things will get through.
6. Put down seed. (Follow seed or sod instructions).
7. Use a roller to press the seed down into the Compost/Soil or wet the area, to insure a good "Seed/Soil Contact".
8. Use erosion control matting to cover and to hold seed in place. We don't recommend the use of wheat straw as it can possibly introduce weeds into your lawn. (If there are inclines, there is a possibility of "washout" of soil, in a hard rain).
9. Make sure you water, keep moist and follow the instructions for your plants/seed/sod.
10. Use 10% Rule. Ex: If you believe you'll need 5 cubic yards you may need a little more because we've never seen anyone spread a 1/4" evenly and people usually run out. Most anyone can grow grass (fescue) in the Fall season because it's cooler.
SOILS FOR PLANTS/GARDENS/LAWNS:
1. Premium Plant Mix soil blend: NOT RECOMMENDED TO GROW GRASS UNLESS TILLED INTO THE EXISTING SOIL AS AN AMENDMENT. *SEE LINK ABOVE* The most popular soil blend combines PART organic compost and PART screened topsoil/mixing sand (sandy topsoil). *See Topsoil details below* This was created to make an easy to use planting medium which has organic nutrients to make a mixture that will both provide structure to your plants and allow water to flow through. May be used for planting shrubs, building planting berms, or gardens, as well as, many other landscape applications. Customer needs to understand their soil & get the proper mix for whatever you are trying to grow.
2. Topsoil: Our topsoil is from our surrounding area so it's a "NORTH CAROLINA NATIVE TOPSOIL". It's screened with a 1/2" or less screen to eliminate most debris/materials (sticks, rocks, etc.). THE SCREENING PROCESS WILL NOT ELIMINATE EVERYTHING, as you may get a 3"- 4" stick in length that is 1/2" diameter round or less to fall through the 1/2" screen. For example, it's very clean but a few sticks, rocks, etc. can get through our screen because the diameter is 1/2". *Please understand how this works before you order or pick up*
3. Flower Bed Mix: This soil is for flower beds and is a mixture of compost, aged pine bark fines and mixing sand (no soil). This is a specialty blend and will need advanced notice to mix as we do not stock pile this product. All specialty blends need to be paid in advance at time of order and no refunds or returns even if it's not picked up.
2. Topsoil: Our topsoil is from our surrounding area so it's a "NORTH CAROLINA NATIVE TOPSOIL". It's screened with a 1/2" or less screen to eliminate most debris/materials (sticks, rocks, etc.). THE SCREENING PROCESS WILL NOT ELIMINATE EVERYTHING, as you may get a 3"- 4" stick in length that is 1/2" diameter round or less to fall through the 1/2" screen. For example, it's very clean but a few sticks, rocks, etc. can get through our screen because the diameter is 1/2". *Please understand how this works before you order or pick up*
3. Flower Bed Mix: This soil is for flower beds and is a mixture of compost, aged pine bark fines and mixing sand (no soil). This is a specialty blend and will need advanced notice to mix as we do not stock pile this product. All specialty blends need to be paid in advance at time of order and no refunds or returns even if it's not picked up.