Can I put soil on top of concrete?

November 23, 2025 - By cheepo

If you provide a layer of soil or a soil like material over the concrete, you can grow grass over the concrete and a number of other types of plants, depending on the depth of the soil and the structural strength of the concrete beneath it.

Similarly one may ask, can I put a lawn on top of concrete?

Concrete is no friend to grass, and growing grass on top of concrete has led to something of a debate among gardeners. If removing concrete is not an option, growing grass on concrete is feasible as long as there is proper drainage and enough topsoil.

Additionally, can you put raised flower beds on concrete? The Royal Horticultural Society recommends laying at least three inches of coarse gravel or stones covered with a geotextile membrane beneath a raised bed built over concrete or pavement. The membrane prevents the drainage material from clogging and getting mixed up with your soil.

One may also ask, how much dirt does it take to grow grass on concrete?

👉 For more insights, check out this resource.

Remove loose pieces of concrete. They will impede the planting of grass. Spread topsoil over the concrete. You need at least 4 inches of soil to give the grass roots the space they need to grow and spread.

Can I put topsoil over existing grass?

👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

You can add topsoil to an existing lawn — and in some cases, you should. Adding a layer of topsoil to your lawn is called “topdressing,” and it's a technique you can use to improve the look of your grass. It's important you prepare correctly and choose the right type of soil for a great-looking lawn.

Can you lay artificial grass on top of paving slabs?

Yes, you can lay artificial grass on slabs! Paving slabs, block paving, concrete and tarmac. We do however recommend as even a surface as possible.

How do you remove concrete?

Steps for Removing a Concrete Slab

Step 1: Create a Void Under the Concrete. The best way to speed up concrete removal is to create a void underneath the section of slab you're working on.
Step 2: It's Hammer Time.
Step 3: Pull Apart and Remove the Broken Concrete.
Step 4: Repeat Steps Until Concrete Is Demolished.

Does grass grow in 2 inches of soil?

(Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches thick quite easily.)

Can you lay turf on top of stones?

Placing Topsoil on Gravel

Shrub and tree roots penetrate deeper in soil. Before you lay down grass sod or spread grass seed, establish a healthy layer of soil in which the sod or seeds can grow. Laying sod is an easier way than spreading grass seeds to get a thick, lush lawn over gravel.

How deep do you till for grass?

If the damp soil no longer holds together in a clump, you are ready to till. Set the depth bar of the rototiller to till 4 to 6 inches deep. If the tiller has a door or guard over the tines, put the cover down. This prevents the tiller from pulling up rocks and roots from deep in the soil.

How does grass grow through concrete?

Microscopic concrete cracks present this path for plants growing beneath your sidewalk. Once a plant's roots discover a microscopic crack in the concrete, they force their way into the slab. Even small weeds and seedlings have the power to displace concrete using potential energy from root growth.

Can you grow grass on balcony?

Plant a Living Floor

If your terrace is structurally sound and can support the added weight, you can totally grow your own grass lawn no matter how high up you are. Cover the floor with filter fabric, add a shallow layer of gravel under another layer of topsoil, then seed it.

Can you grow grass over bricks?

Bricks, or pavers, installed for structural support using a special layout — or manufactured product — leave spaces for grass to grow. While grass doesn't grow on the bricks, it can appear to cover them.

What do you fill raised beds with?

Growing plants in a raised garden bed is easy. All you need is a level spot in your landscape, some plants or seeds, and enough good-quality soil and compost to fill the bed. You can purchase a kit that comes with pre-cut lumber and hardware, or build your own raised bed in any size you need.

What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?

Garden soil is compost enriched and is a higher quality soil. Garden soil is topsoil enriched with compost and organic matter to make it better suited to actual plant growth. High quality screened topsoil is blended with 100% organic compost, producing a soil that is perfect for sod, seed, gardens, and raised beds.

Do I need to line my raised garden bed?

You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.

Do raised beds need drainage holes?

Unlike other planters that have drainage holes in the bottom to allow water to escape, a raised planting bed uses height to allow the water to adequately drain. Raised planters do not have a base, meaning that the soil of your planter drains down to the topsoil on the ground.

How do I keep my concrete pots from staining?

Use something called pot feet Aliases of pot risers & deck protectors…. These are usually stone, concrete, or pottery and they simply sit under the pot holding it up about an inch from the ground so that drainage holes remain clear and air flow is allowed under the pot.

How do you make a flower bed?

Rules of Thumb for Brand New Beds:

Work the soil when it is moist, but not wet.
Turn the soil over to a depth of at least 12 inches.
Add 2-3 inches of compost and turn it into the bed.
Either cover the bed with a thick (3-4″) layer of mulch or use a weed and feed to help keep weed seeds from germinating.

How wide should a flower bed be?

Width: In a small floower garden with limited space, 2- to 3-foot-wide borders may make the most sense. The standard for traditional English perennial borders is that they need to be at least 6 to 8 feet wide to accommodate the range of plants needed to provide varying heights and continuous bloom.

Is it safe to grow vegetables in concrete?

I have seen warnings on the Internet that cinder blocks or concrete blocks used in a garden might leach harmful chemicals into the soil and ultimately into your food plants. He found universities recommending the use of concrete blocks in container gardens or raised beds.

Can you put a planter box on grass?

One benefit of a raised bed is that you don't need to dig out all the grass. But you do need to keep grass at bay so it doesn't invade your new garden. So cover the ground with a biodegradable landscape fabric, sometimes called biodegradable weed fabric or organic weed control.