Adding a thin layer of compost, sand, or both to the top of a lawn is called grass top dressing. Top dressing improves soil structure, enhances nutrient levels, and promotes a healthier turf. Fertilizers and biostimulants can also be added to the top dressing mix. It levels bumpy areas, fills in patches, and encourages grass seed germination. Top dressing with aeration improves drainage, reduces thatch buildup, and creates resilient green grass. To top dress a lawn, you need tools like a wheelbarrow, shovel, broadcast spreader, and leveling rake.
Before you start the top dressing process, you’ll need to clean up your lawn with a light scalp. Removing excess debris and old grass with your lawnmower is like getting a new haircut. Lawn scalping will encourage new turf growth for greener, healthier grass.
To learn more about how to scalp your lawn and why it’s important for keeping the turf healthy, read our blog post on the subject.
The best way to get that smooth, perfect putting green look you’ve been going for is to top dress your lawn. All grass accumulates organic matter and excess thatch after a while, which introduces new problems. Excess thatch creates a breeding ground for pests, a haven for lawn diseases, and can suffocate your grass.
We’ll talk about the science behind top dressing your lawn and the best way to use the material you choose in this article.
Top dressing is hard work. If you want to top dress your lawn yourself, it’s a good idea to get help from family or friends.
A lush, green lawn is the pride and joy of many homeowners. But over time, foot traffic, pets, and the elements can take their toll, leaving your yard lumpy and full of bare patches. Top dressing is an easy lawn care technique that can get your grass back into tip-top shape. Let’s explore what lawn top dressing is, why it’s useful, and how to do it right.
What Exactly is Lawn Top Dressing?
Lawn top dressing simply refers to spreading a thin layer of material over the grass to improve the lawn’s health and appearance It involves applying about 1/4 inch of organic matter like compost, a sand-soil mix, or a specially formulated top dressing product As the grass grows up through the layer, the material integrates with the soil, adding nutrients and improving soil texture.
Why Top Dress Your Lawn?
There are several excellent reasons to use lawn top dressing
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It levels out bumps and divots to create a smooth, even surface.
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It helps fill in bare or thin patches to make grass more dense
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The organic matter boosts nutrients in the soil.
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It breaks down thatch so air and water can better penetrate the lawn.
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It improves drainage and aerates the soil for healthier grass roots.
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It creates the ideal seedbed for overseeding new grass.
So in a nutshell, top dressing revitalizes tired, damaged lawns and gets your yard looking thick and green again.
When is Lawn Top Dressing Recommended?
The best times to top dress are early fall for cool season grasses like fescue and bluegrass or late spring for warm season varieties like zoysia and bermuda. This matches top dressing with the grass’s active growing periods.
Also top dress if your lawn shows signs of:
- Persistent bare or thinning patches
- Bumpy uneven areas
- Poor drainage or often soggy areas
- Excess thatch buildup
- Frequent disease or weed infestations
Spot top dressing problem areas whenever you notice them. But for an overall lawn makeover, schedule spring or fall top dressing combined with aerating and overseeding.
What Materials Can be Used for Lawn Top Dressing?
Compost – Screened, mature compost with fine particles provides ideal organic matter with nutrients and microbes that enrich soil. Look for compost with a neutral pH between 6.5-7.0.
Quality topsoil – Topsoil alone has less nutrient value but helps fill low spots and smooth the lawn. Blend with compost for best results.
Sand – Sand creates pores to improve drainage and aeration. Avoid pure sand on heavy clay soil.
Specialty top dressing products – Blended, organic formulations made specifically for top dressing lawns.
A sand-compost mix – The most recommended DIY top dressing blend. Use a 60/40 or 70/30 ratio of sand to compost.
The top dressing material should match your soil type. For instance, a heavy clay lawn does better with more compost and less sand. Know your existing soil and choose an appropriate top dressing.
What’s the Recommended Amount of Top Dressing?
Only a thin layer of 1/4 to 1/2 inch is needed. Too much material can smother grass rather than nourishing it. Here’s how to calculate the amount:
For whole lawn: 0.77 cubic yards of top dressing per 1,000 sq ft of lawn
For patches: About 1-2 cubic feet per 25 sq ft
So for example, a 800 sq ft lawn needs ~0.6 cubic yards of top dressing material. Purchase extra since you’ll inevitably have some waste.
Step-By-Step Guide to Top Dressing a Lawn
Follow these steps to properly top dress your lawn:
1. Mow the grass very short right before top dressing. This allows the material to reach the soil easily.
2. Remove debris like leaves, sticks and stones from the lawn to create an even surface.
3. Dethatch if needed using a rake or power dethatcher to remove excess thatch buildup before top dressing.
4. Aerate the lawn if possible to open holes for the top dressing to penetrate the soil, enhancing its benefits.
5. Spread the top dressing evenly and thinly across bare spots or the whole lawn using a shovel or spreader.
6. Gently rake the material to integrate it into the grass without disrupting the lawn too much.
7. Water thoroughly to lightly moisten and help settle the top dressing.
8. Let the lawn recover for a week before mowing again. Avoid heavy use for 1-2 weeks.
9. Overseed bare patches in combination with top dressing to fill them in thickly.
10. Fertilize 4-6 weeks later to feed the new grass and soil.
Proper lawn top dressing technique is vital for success. Avoid dumping too much material or failing to water and let the lawn rest after application. Your patience will pay off with a revived lawn!
What Kind of Equipment is Helpful for Top Dressing?
Having the right tools makes top dressing much easier:
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Lawn mower – To scalp the lawn short before top dressing.
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Stiff rake – For dethatching and working material into the grass.
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Shovel and/or spreader – For evenly applying the top dressing.
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Garden rake – To lightly rake and smooth the top dressing.
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Wheelbarrow – For transporting materials across the lawn.
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Hose and sprinkler – To water and settle the top dressing into the soil.
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Aerator – To open holes in the soil before top dressing (optional but beneficial).
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Overseeder – To drop grass seed on bare patches after top dressing.
Having some extra hands makes the job faster too. But with the right tools, you can DIY top dress your lawn solo.
When Will I See Results From Lawn Top Dressing?
Be patient – it takes some time for the benefits to become visible. Here’s a general timeline:
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1 week – Grass starts growing up through the top dressing.
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2-3 weeks – Color improves as soil nutrients increase. Bare areas begin filling in.
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1-2 months – Thatch breakdown improves drainage. Lawn feels firmer underfoot.
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3-6 months – Soil quality continues improving with less compaction. Lawn looks greener and denser.
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6-12 months – Full top dressing benefits occur with reduced weeds/disease and a vibrant, lush lawn.
Remember to continue proper mowing, watering, fertilizing, and lawn care maintenance after top dressing for the best results.
Is Lawn Aeration Necessary for Top Dressing?
Aerating is always beneficial before top dressing because it opens up the soil for the top dressing to incorporate more deeply. The holes allow air, water, and nutrients to better penetrate the lawn. However, aeration isn’t absolutely mandatory to see improvements from top dressing.
If you don’t have an aerator, you can use a garden fork to poke holes across the lawn before top dressing. But renting or hiring an aerator 1-2 times per year gives the best long-term results, especially on compacted soil. The combo of aeration plus top dressing is lawn magic!
When is Lawn Top Dressing NOT Recommended?
Avoid top dressing in these situations:
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If the lawn was recently fertilized, since it could burn the grass. Wait 4-6 weeks after fertilizing before top dressing.
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During hot, dry summer weather when cool season grass is dormant. Focus on watering instead.
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In late fall heading into winter freeze when the lawn isn’t actively growing.
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On a healthy, lush lawn that isn’t showing any problems. Top dress only where it’s needed.
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On newly laid sod that hasn’t rooted yet. Wait at least 6 weeks before top dressing new sod.
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In extreme weather with heavy rain or excessive heat. Wait for conditions to improve before top dressing.
How Much Does Lawn Top Dressing Cost?
The cost depends on the size of your lawn and materials used. The top dressing itself averages $10-$50 per cubic yard. With bulk delivery, compost can be $30-$80 per cubic yard. Rental equipment like an aerator costs $50-$150 per day. So for example:
- 1000 sq ft lawn needing 0.77 yards of compost top dressing = ~$50
- Adding aerator rental for 1 day = ~$100
- For a 5000 sq ft lawn, double those numbers = ~$200
So realistically, expect to spend $100-$400 for materials, equipment rentals, and delivery fees to top dress an average home lawn depending on its size.
Is Top Dressing a DIY Project or Best Left to the Pros?
With a small lawn, top dressing is a very DIY-friendly project. But for larger yards over 10,000 sq ft, it becomes quite labor-intensive. Hiring a professional lawn care company can take the hard work out of top dressing if it’s in your budget.
The key is using proper technique to avoid wasting expensive materials. Read up on the process thoroughly before tackling it yourself. With a rest and recovery period after top dressing, you’ll give your grass its best shot at filling in beautifully.
Give Your Lawn Some TLC with Top Dressing
Now you know the ins and outs of reviving tired grass with a nourishing layer of top dressing. Lawn top dressing improves soil quality, levels the surface, and brings thin or bare patches back to life. Time it when the grass is actively growing, use an aerator for added benefit, and let the lawn recover afterward. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded with a thicker, greener lawn just as spring and summer arrive. Your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood thanks to the TLC of top dressing.
Why Is Top Dressing Your Lawn Important?
As we already said, top dressing your lawn makes the surface flat and adds organic matter to feed your grass. But there are two other main reasons to top dress your lawn:
- Since the surface of your lawn is now more level, you can mow the grass much shorter without cutting it off. You can cut less than an inch with a reel mower without hurting the grass.
- If you mix sand and soil in your top dressing mix, the soil will be healthier. If your soil is healthy, your grass will grow back faster in the spring and stay dormant longer in the fall. This means you can enjoy your golf course grass for longer while it’s still growing.
The Basics: What Does Top Dressing Your Lawn Mean?
It is possible to make the surface of your lawn smoother, better drain, and better for your plants by adding a thin layer of soil or sand. This is called “top dressing.” If you scalp your grass in the spring and then find bumpy or uneven spots, that’s even more reason to dress your lawn.
How to Topdress & Level Your Lawn Using Sand or TopSoil? Beginners DIY Guide
FAQ
Is top dressing the same as topsoil?
When should you top dress your lawn?
What is the purpose of top dressing a lawn?
What are the disadvantages of top dressing?