It can be a bit disheartening to look across your lawn and see uneven areas filled with bumps, depressions and patchy or sparse grass instead of a carpet of lush, vibrant and healthy turf. But don’t despair… it’s possible to rejuvenate your lawn by top-dressing it with compost.
A lush, green lawn does more than add beauty to your outdoors — it’s a reflection of the dedication and effort you put into maintaining your home's outdoor spaces. If you’re looking to boost your lawn's health and appearance, top-dressing is something worth exploring. In this post, the team at Brandon Rushing delves into the basics of top-dressing so your lawn becomes healthier and more resilient with each passing year. Read on!
What is top-dressing?
Top-dressing, also referred to as compost installation, is a transformative procedure that greatly enhances the results achieved through a standard lawn care program. It involves applying a thin layer of organic material over your lawn, giving it the boost it needs to flourish in the shortest time possible.
What are the benefits of top-dressing?
Top-dressing offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond mere aesthetics, such as:
- Levelling out your lawn’s surface, creating a seamless and visually appealing lawn.
- Improving soil structure by providing your lawn with a boost of natural nutrients and evening out PH levels.
- Enhancing moisture retention and promoting better drainage.
- Helping break down thatch, allowing essential nutrients, water, and air to reach the grassroots.
- Creating a robust lawn that is more resilient to fungal and bacterial infections and insect infestations.
Top-dressing is especially useful for lawns that have been damaged by pets, are thin or brown due to summer heat stress or have sustained damage from insects or disease.
Signs your lawn could benefit from top-dressing
The best way to determine if your lawn could benefit from top-dressing is to carefully observe it. Look for uneven surfaces, poor water drainage, thin or patchy areas, excessive thatch buildup, worn or damaged areas, compacted soil or stunted, yellowing grass blades that indicate nutritional deficiencies.
How to top-dress your lawn
While top-dressing your lawn isn’t difficult, it is labor-intensive and involves several steps to be successful.
- Assess your lawn to determine if it would benefit from top-dressing (see above).
- Choose a suitable top-dressing material. It should be a balanced blend of screened compost, sand and loam soil that is free of weeds, stones and debris.
- Prepare your lawn by mowing it a bit shorter than usual, then raking it thoroughly to remove debris, thatch, rocks, and clumps of grass.
- Spread a thin and even layer (about ¼ to ½ inch) of top-dressing across the lawn. Avoid piling up the material, as it may smother the grass.
- Gently brush or rake the top-dressing into the grass. This helps it settle between the blades so it reaches the soil’s surface. Be careful not to damage the grass while doing this.
- Lightly water the lawn to help the top-dressing adhere to the soil. The moisture will also help decompose any remaining thatch. Avoid excessive watering, as it may cause the top-dressing to wash away,
- Water as needed to ensure the top-dressing integrates with the soil and supports grass growth. Follow up with proper lawn care practices, including regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing, to maintain a healthy lawn.
Expert help is just a call away
If the DIY route isn't for you, our experienced lawn care team is here to help. We use our knowledge, skills and top-quality materials to transform your tired, patchy lawn into one you can be proud of — saving you time and effort while delivering exceptional results.
If you’ve never applied top-dressing to your lawn, it really is the secret behind your turf's health and appearance. By identifying signs of distress, understanding the advantages of top-dressing, and following the proper steps you can achieve remarkable results — we’ve seen complete turnarounds in just two years!
Whether you choose the DIY approach or opt for professional assistance, the key is taking action. If you’d like your lawn to be extra-green and healthy, let us know. We’ll add compost top-dressing to your current lawn care program (additional charges apply) and coordinate it with your Fall Lawn Recovery service.
