It is difficult for most homeowners to maintain adequate watering for 28 days unless they have a sprinkler system. Top-dressing is usually done at the same time of year as seeding Here’s the good news Most poor condition lawns can be renovated with top-dressing followed by re-seeding or over-seeding! This would normally be a loam or a loam and sand mix, depending on the condition of your … Topdressing's benefits are so numerous, it's hard to understand why it is not the foundation for every lawn care program. Top dressing involves adding a thin layer of organic material to provide long-lasting nutrients, whereas overseeding fills in bare or thin spots with fresh sprouts of grass. Working a few square feet at a time, shovel … Did you receive a mailing or email from us? This is also the perfect time to bring out the aerator and allow oxygen to penetrate the soil while also breaking up any thatch. Discount Code. Topdressing regularly can smooth out bumps caused by worm castings and encourages a dense, lush lawn. After aerating, it’s time for top dressing: spread either pulverized top soil or a good quality humus compost across the lawn. “I planted about an acre of grass last spring. … To ensure the top dressing easily rakes through the grass, mow your lawn to about an inch high. The following pictures … On the question of whether to overseed before or after top dressing, it's best to do it after so that the seeds receive adequate sunlight for germination. Top dressing is the process of applying a very thin layer of compost or another soil amendment to the surface of your lawn. If your lawn area is an acre, then you would purchase between 5 and 6 50-lb. It has come in nicely, however, I do have a question. This will help to relieve any compaction issues, and it will also provide a good site for the seed to germinate. Use a hand-held or push broadcaster depending on the size of your yard. She enjoys writing content that helps homeowners feel motivated and confident in handling projects around the home. Mr. Campbell, Thank you for sending in your question. Follow appropriate safety precautions when using power equipment. If you have a lot of top dressing to work into the lawn perhaps seeding afterwards is best so that the seed doesn’t … It has been performed on golf courses since the sport was invented in Scotland, but has only recently … It can reduce thatch buildup by encouraging decomposition. Top dressing and overseeding your lawn can rejuvenate it and give it that lush, thick quality you strive for each year. You don't want to scalp your lawn, but you do want it to be short. Lawn Top Dressing - Compost is applied to your lawn at a depth of 1/4" to 1/2" What is Lawn Top Dressing: Lawn Top Dressing is the process of adding a thin layer of Top Soil onto your lawn… All you have to do is go to your local garden store and purchase some high quality certified grass seed with endophyte and some … It settles down through the grass and improves the quality of your soil at the roots. As a soil amendment, topdressing can improve soil biology by adding organic matter and the beneficial microorganisms found in compost. Top dressing is the process of spreading a thin layer of material (usually compost or sand) over your lawn, or sections of your lawn. Any uneven dips created by cutting out the weeds will be leveled when the top dressing is added. Top dressing and overseeding are important components in any organic lawn maintenance program. Which should I do first and how long do I wait in between?”. Then, go ahead and reseed. I suggest you look for a product with an analysis of 14-14-14 or similar and supply about .75 to 1 pound of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq. Alternatively, you can mix coarse sand with topsoil and/or compost to cover more area at a lower cost per square foot. bags of a 14-14-14. I would also like to “weed and feed”. Overseeding is an important for growing a healthy, lush lawn. It adds valuable organic matter to the soil base which improves soil fertility and root … I am glad to read that you had good success in your seeding efforts last year. In fact, if you simply want to level your yard without blowing your budget, you can use coarse sand. Over seeding & top dressing your lawn is really easy. Due to harsh winter conditions or other extreme circumstances, an established lawn may need to have some areas repaired by top-dressing with soil and over-seeding with new grass seed. Do not expect top dressing to smother weeds while sparing your grass. Then seed the lawn with half the amount you would for a new lawn and gently go over the entire lawn using the back of a metal tined rake, so the seed … OverSeeding - We will Overseed your lawn using High Quality Tall Fescue Grass Seed. The reason why I suggest more ryegrass is that it germinates in 5 to 7 days, whereas bluegrass takes 28 days to germinate. Try to get the top dressing about a quarter of an inch thick on all areas of your lawn. There are numerous blends available. Harold provides some expert tips on two important lawn care practices—reseeding and top dressing—and stresses the importance of doing them in the right order. Turf experts often recommend "topdressing" lawns with a thin layer of compost. Top Dressing a Lawn: How It Helps Top dressing your lawn is an age-old practice on golf courses. Be sure to cover your entire lawn, even the areas that are already growing well. It can be used following seeding, overseeding or sprigging to protect the developing … He also addresses the best time to weed and feed. The goal of top dressing is to amend the soil with nutrients so that the grass will grow greener, thicker and stronger. Be sure to invest some money in the seed and get good quality, weed-free seed. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Compost can be mixed with equal amounts of sand for topdressing on heavy soil. Penn State Extension: Turfgrass Fertilization: A Basic Guide for Professional Turfgrass Managers. It can be used following seeding, overseeding or sprigging to protect the … You will need about 3/4 cubic yard per 1000 square feet of lawn. You can add topsoil to an existing lawn -- and in some cases, you should. You don't want to accidentally smother the grass, but rather spread a rich organic material in a thin enough layer to allow the grass to push through and continue growing. Before top-dressing the lawn, take the time to cut out weedy sections with a shovel to reduce competition and encourage a more uniform look to your lawn once the grass grows in. Adding a layer of topsoil to your lawn is called "topdressing," and it's a technique you can use to improve the look of your grass. Enter yourNeighborhood Discount Code. Not all types of grass have the same nutritional requirements, so it's not always necessary to buy the most expensive compost or topsoil you can find. Top dressing involves adding a thin layer of organic material to … Top dressing is the process of spreading additional soil over the surface of your lawn. In regards to broadleaf weeds, like dandelions and clover, you need to wait until the grass has germinated and has been mowed three times before applying that type of product. Scotts recommends watering the lawn once or twice per day after reseeding until the seedlings catch up to the height of your existing grass. Wait for a rain shower or sprinkle the … I would like to reseed and top dress the entire area. Then use a garden rake to pull the top dressing out from the center pile on all sides. Combining topdressing with overseeding will gain the best result. You can ask Harold a question directly on his Ask the Expert blog. I do suggest you apply a fertilizer after seeding. Top dressing and overseeding your lawn can rejuvenate it and give it that lush, thick quality you strive for each year. On a seeded lawn: After sowing lawn grass seeds, apply a thin layer — about 1/4-inch — of compost as top-dressing to help maintain consistent soil moisture while seeds germinate and tender grass seedlings … Penn State Extension notes that grasses need 16 different nutrients to thrive, and your top dressing mix might not include each of these in adequate amounts. Looking for some additional lawn care tips? Water the lawn right after seeding. Topdressing can be used to smooth the surface of the lawn. Enter yourNeighborhood SHOP GRASS SEED … Apply Top-Dressing. Choose the same kind of grass seed that is already growing in your lawn to achieve uniform color and height throughout the season. Place approximately 1/4 inch of top dressing (a 3-way mix of sand, dirt and compost is best). Did you receive a mailing or email from us? Use this guide to learn about overseeding a lawn. Once you've selected the top dressing, empty the bags or dump the wheelbarrow loads throughout the lawn. What to Do First: Reseeding or Top Dressing? About 3/4 cubic yard per 1000 square feet of lawn often recommend `` topdressing '' lawns with a layer. Of top dressing to smother weeds while sparing your grass bare spots and improve your grass you. Soil amendment to the surface of your lawn to about an acre of grass last spring apply the to... Bags or dump the wheelbarrow loads throughout the lawn do want it to be.. 'Ve selected the top dressing about a quarter of an inch thick on all sides for in... 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