Top Dressing Your Lawn

When is top dressing a lawn necessary?

In most cases top dressing is done to correct poor preparation and lack of soil underneath or to fill in low spots and correct uneven areas in the lawn. In some cases top dressing holes or spots within a newly laid lawn is also recommend.

How does top dressing help a lawn?

Top dressing brings many benefits to a lawn that is looking a little lacklustre, including helping to reduce the accumulation of dead grass clippings and stems, known as ‘thatch’. It helps to increase nutrient retention, improves drainage and increases disease and pest resistance.

When is the right time to top dress your lawn?

Top dressing should only be done during the active growing season and the earlier in the season the better. Usually mid-late spring to early summer is best for most regions.

How to top dress a new lawn

On new lawns top dressing is generally not required, but can be done to fill in the odd gap or hole.

However, we recommend you leave your lawn for a few months as most of those issues will take care of themselves. Occasionally, after a settling period some areas of a new lawn may need a slight correction to desired the level. Fertilise a few weeks prior to top dressing to ensure maximum growth at the time.

It is strongly recommended to use a washed-river sand or a top dressing soil mix when top dressing. Washed-river sand and soil mix are both free draining options that limit nutrient obstruction and restriction to your lawn. Using a higher proportion of organic material for sandy soils is a good idea.

How to top dress an established lawn

• Prior to top dressing an established lawn give your lawn a low mow with a rotary mower equipped with a catcher. Spread the mix evenly over the desired area, then rake or broom it into the lawn profile.

• Never top dress more than 1cm in a single application, making sure the grass tips are still exposed.

• It is very important that your water your lawn after the application of top dressing to ensure the area don’t overheat and burn your lawn. Continue regular water applications the days following the top dressing.

Remember, if your lawn is well fertilised, healthy and even, then you don’t need to worry about top dressing. Top dressing your lawn unnecessarily will only force your lawn into undue stress.

For more information on how to keep your lawn looking its best visit our Lawn Care page.