Top Dressing with Organic Compost
What is Lawn Top Dressing?
Lawn top dressing is the process of spreading a thin layer of organic compost over your lawn or sections of your lawn. This layer is only about a 1/4″ and is meant to amend the soil of your lawn while letting the existing grass grow through the top dressing material. Top dressing is even more effective when done after aerating.

A healthier lawn comes with healthier soil and there is no better way to improve soil health than by adding compost. You can feed your lawn naturally by top dressing it with compost. This application is also used in agriculture and horticulture, on crop fields, sports fields and golf courses. Compost contains the primary nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium — and an array of micro nutrients to naturally feed a lawn.

Top dressing a lawn with compost adds organic matter to the soil, which supports proper drainage and better tilth. The organic matter also hosts beneficial micro organisms that turn organic fertilizer and minerals in the soil into plant-available nutrients that can be taken up by roots. Improved soil structure from organic material also improves the ability of the soil to store water resulting in less water runoff following rain storms. Soil high in organic matter also results in lower surface temperatures, which reduces stress with turf grasses and prevents weeds from germinating.

You can apply the compost at any time when the ground is not frozen, but if you apply it right after aerating a lawn, you will see even better results. Another great time to top dress with compost is when overseeding a lawn. Applying compost and seeds at the same time will improve germination and moisture retention. Contact us today for a free consultation and see how top dressing with organic compost can benefit your lawn this upcoming season.
Benefits of Top Dressing
Improved Soil Quality
Top dressing adds nutrients to your lawn organically and improves drainage. The organic compost will add important organic matter for the microbes in the soil to feed on. This will result in a lawn that is less susceptible to stress and diseases.
Reduce Water Usage
Top dressing will help your soil retain more moisture throughout the year. Your lawn will stay greener longer! During the summer and in draught conditions, your lawn will bounce back sooner than others.
Reduced Fertilizer Use
Top dressing increases the effectiveness of any fertilizers you may already be using on your lawn. This helps improve the efficiency of the product as well as reduce the cost of additional applications.
Improved Germination
When used in combination with overseeding your lawn, top dressing allows the seed to make direct contact with soil which is best for germination. This improves the overall look and health of your lawn while also improving growth.
Break Down Thatch
Thatch is a layer of soil made up of organic debris that can prevent oxygen, water, and beneficial nutrients from reaching the roots of your lawn. By top dressing with organic compost, thatch is broken down naturally, increase the health of your grass.
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