You do not need additional soil when patching a bare spot. Just clean the spot of debris, scratch up the soil, drop some seed, rake the soil a little, tramp it down lightly and then water three times a day until it is established. In larger areas, scalp the lawn, core aerate and overseed, water three times a day until established then begin to cut back on the water. 1. Seed must have soil contact 2. Starter fertilizer. 3 proper irrigation. 4 correct choice of seed. You said that the side of your yard is almost gone ? Where did it go ? I think it went dormant. You say you donÂt want to buy a number of bags of this (Lawn soil) but then you want to top dress. Well OK, Top dressing is about the best thing you can do for your lawn. Top dress with compost at the rate of 1 cubic yard per 1000 sq. ft. You can do that anytime, right now or after you aerate and overseed. Another approach you could take would be to patch the worst of the bare spots this fall and then dormant seed the rest of your lawn after all growth stops this fall. Late November or December would be good. Starter fertilizer is most important in any seeding you do. If you want a really great lawn, introduce as much organic material into your lawns soil. Mulch all your fall leaves, return all grass clippings into your lawn. Spread compost. Consider organic fertilizers. Good luck with your lawn.

Ordinary potting soil of good quality is fine for all potted bromeliads. It needs to be fast draining, so I suggest adding about 1 part of pea gravel to 3 parts of soil; perlite will do if you cannot get gravel, but the gravel also adds weight to the mix and helps balance the pot. Aquarium gravel can be used.

I don't think they use dirt but rather sphagnum moss. Any vine should grow thru it as long as the sphagnum moss is kept moist. Look here for info on how to rebuild http://www.hort.cornell.edu/livingsculpture/pdf/sphagnum_topiary.pdf

Desen I am not sure what you mean by hurting or damaging? - are you talking about taking off the leaves? If so, obviously you don't want to take all of them off. Taking off few should not be a problem. Leave them as they are, do not wet the leaves. Roots usually appear in short while, sometimes little plantlets first. There are some echeverias that do not want to grow from leaves, but most will if the leaves are healthy enough. Maybe you could post a photo of your succulent (or any if you have more than 1).