How to Mix Peat With Topsoil for Bare Spots on a Lawn

Peat, also called peat moss or sphagnum moss, is available in most garden centers and often is used in garden beds or pots. Peat restructures soil by making the consistency light and keeping dense soils from compacting. By using peat, the nutrients, water and air in the soil are made more readily available to plant's roots. Because of its benefits, peat can be mixed with topsoil and grass seed for bare spots on a lawn or blended into garden beds.

Shovel
Tarp
Fresh peat
Topsoil
Plants (optional)
Grass seed (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Dig the soil in the bare spot to loosen the top layer 6 inches deep. Use the blade of the shovel to break apart large clumps in the topsoil.
- 2
  Spread out a tarp onto the ground. Pour out 1 cubic foot each of peat and topsoil onto the center of the tarp. Mix the peat and topsoil together into an even consistency, using a shovel.
- 3
  Spread out a 4-inch-deep layer of the peat mixture over the loosened, bare area. Dig the area once more to blend the peat mixture and ground soil evenly.
- 4
  Plant directly into the bare spot with seedlings of annuals, perennials, vegetables or other plants, if desired, to form a garden bed. Plant full sun or shade plants, depending on how much light the planting spot receives.
- 5
  Spread grass seed over the loose soil to convert the bare patch into lawn. Sprinkle a ¼-inch-thick layer of solely peat over the seeds. Water the bare patch as often as needed to keep the peat moist and allow the seeds to germinate.

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