Once again, mow your lawn the day prior to applying the top dressing. The longer the grass, the more sand required to cover the area, and as mentioned – a deeper layer of soil will make it harder for the grass to grow through it.
Be sure to mow your lawn the day before applying the top dressing and rake up and remove any debris to allow the nutrients to effectively penetrate into the soil.
You should mow your lawn the day before applying your top dressing, remembering to clear any debris or grass clippings, and not to mow too short.
Rich topsoil is as beneficial for new grass as it is for old. Few people realize they can significantly boost the health of their lawn by carefully adding new topsoil. If you simply pile the soil on, you can kill the grass.
'Gradually add no more than a layer ½in thick, so the grass can grow though it and form roots at a higher level,' continues Steve Bradley. 'If the top dressing is too deep the grass beneath will die off and leave a bare patch where weeds can establish.
The disadvantages of top dressing include the struggle of applying nitrogen at the correct time and potential for increased nitrogen losses. Although top dressing is a quick job to complete, it often needs to be completed when growers are busy finishing seeding or starting in-crop herbicide.
Usually, 8 inches of topsoil is needed to fill a new garden bed or raised bed. If you intend to add topsoil to your lawn, you will need approximately 4-6 inches of topsoil to give you the healthy lawn you desire.
Soil Depth is Crucial
Topsoil is typically thought of as the top 6 inches of soil. We recommend adding at least 2 to 3+ inches of topsoil and rototilling it 2 to 3+ inches into the existing dirt to get the recommended 6 inches depth.
Topsoil Uses Can Include Fixing Uneven and Patchy Lawns
You may even notice areas of your yard that are slightly uneven. Topsoil is a great remedy for both problems. To grow grass, simply spread topsoil across the area so it is 1 inch deep. Evenly distribute grass seeds and till the soil to combine.
Top dressing a lawn is best done during the growing season which is when your lawn is getting mown weekly, typically this is during late Spring/early Summer. Top dressing a lawn should only be done when the grass is actively growing.
Blended loam topsoil, lawn seeding topsoil, and regular screened topsoil are some of the most commonly used types of topsoil for use on lawns.
The earlier in the growing season the better. Generally late spring to early summer is best. If you top dress in winter when your lawn is in its dormant phase, you run the risk of damaging or even killing your lawn entirely.
A rototiller also does a good job of loosening the soil but you still need to level it. If you are adding topsoil, while it may cost a bit more, it is worth it to have the landscaper loosen the soil first, then apply the topsoil, and then have the landscaper return to mix the 2 soils together.
It's best to use it wherever you're lacking soil, for example, to fill in a low spot in your lawn, or as a base layer in a new garden that's missing a foundation of soil. If you use topsoil in a garden, you'd still have to add additional compost or manure to help your plants thrive.
To start off you will need to clear the existing area before laying down your new soil. Then lightly turn over approximately the top 5 inches of the existing soil, this will loosen the ground and help make sure you get the best from your new topsoil.
Most types of grass can grow through 2 inches of topsoil placed on top of it if the existing established plants are healthy. Grass often grows through topsoil when a thinner layer of topsoil is placed on top of an old lawn.
Most grass seed will start growing in about 10-14 days, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days. When you're planting new grass seed in your yard, it can seem like it's taking forever to start sprouting.
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 80 square feet at 4 inches deep and 40 square feet at 8 inches deep. So, for a typical standard-size lawn of 1,000 square feet, you would need approximately 12.5 cubic yards, or 17 tons, of topsoil to cover the entire lawn at 4 inches deep.
Topsoils can vary in screening sizes, therefore some topsoils may be denser than others. Generally speaking, 1 tonne of topsoil will cover 0.63 cubic metres or 22 cubic feet or 0.81 cubic yards. Our bags of topsoil come in sizes of 0.75m³, meaning you'll get just over a tonne of soil per bag!
To amend a home lawn, ¼-inch is the recommended layer of topdressing. That means you need 0.77 cubic yards of material to topdress 1,000 square feet. To find the amount of material needed for your yard, multiply the square footage of your yard by 0.77, then divide by 1,000.
Top dress your beds and containers every three weeks to keep your microbes and plants fed. If you're working with a complex and healthy soil, you'll only need to redress it at the start of the flowering phase. Although top dressing can provide a full spectrum of nutrients, it's still possible for deficiencies to occur.
WHAT IS OVERSEEDING? Overseeding is the planting of grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf, or the soil.