Top Dress Your Lawn - the Natural Way to Go Green!

It’s spring once again. Time to take stock of your surroundings and make some needed improvements, especially after our winter weather has done a number on our landscapes. And what’s the area that suffers most? That’s right, our lawns! Luckily for us, there’s an easy way to liven up turf without a lot of hassle.

A lush, green lawn requires healthy soil as its foundation, but it’s difficult to make changes to the soil once grass has been established. Most gardening recommendations include “working” organic matter into the soil through digging or tilling before planting, but this can’t be done once the grass has grown. So what’s a homeowner to do with an established lawn that’s in need of some serious help?

When done the right way, the technique of “top-dressing,” or adding a thin layer of compost over your lawn, can improve the soil without harming the existing turf. Top-dressing gradually improves soil over time. As organic matter breaks down, it filters through the existing soil to improve texture and overall health. Top-dressing:

Provides nutrients to the soil

Adds beneficial Microbial Activity 

Increases Water Holding Capacity

Suppresses Certain Plant Diseases

Increases Infiltration and Permeability

Stabilizes Soil PH

Increases Humus content, helping to bind sandy soils

Improves drainage and drought-resistance

Evens out the terrain

Reduces the need for supplemental fertilizers

Transforms your lawn into organic, low-maintenance, healthy turf

When to Top-Dress

Ideally, do it in early fall or spring since you’ll want to give your grass time to grow through 3-4 more mowings before temperatures change, especially if you are overseeding. There a 2 methods of Top-Dressing: Quick & Easy or the Professional way (aerate before top-dressing)

Quick & Easy Application 

1. For best results, mow the turf short, approximately 1½ inch.
2. Apply 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of Harvest Blend Compost over existing turf (0.80 to 1.60 cubic yards per 1000 sq. ft.)
3. Work compost into turf with a rake. You can use the back of a wide 'Landscaper's' rake to spread the mix and 'brush' it into the grasses of the lawn. A good stiff broom will also do the trick. Make sure that the compost does not smother the grass. The grass should be showing through the Compost top dressing. The compost will replenish organic material in the soil with the result that the soil does a better job of holding moisture and nutrients for use by the grass. Compost is naturally full of air channels, so it does not block the air and moisture from traveling into the soil.
4. Water thoroughly after application.

Purchase Compost for Top-Dressing: You can find a Harvest Blend dealer near you by clicking here. If you’d like to speak to a Harvest Blend Field Rep, email Info@HarvestBlendCompost.com or call (805)925-2771.

Top-Dressing – the professional way

1. For best results, mow the turf short, approximately 1½ inch.
2. Flag all sprinkler heads and valve covers to avoid any damage during aerating process.
3. Aerate the area before top dressing using a commercial aerator or dethatching machine from a local rental store. This opens up the compacted soil to allow oxygen and water to penetrate. After aerating the turf the lawn should look like it is covered with cigar butts. (Do not worry, they will disintegrate and disappear within a few weeks.)
4. Apply 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of Harvest Blend Compost over existing turf (0.80 to 1.60 cubic yards per 1000 sq. ft.)
5. Work compost into holes and turf with a rake or drag unit. Use the back of a wide landscaper's rake to spread the mix and brush it into the grasses of the lawn. A good stiff broom will also do the trick. Make sure that the compost does not smother the grass. The grass should be showing through the compost top dressing. The compost falls into the aeration holes to replenish organic material in the root zone. The soil will now do a better job of holding moisture and nutrients for use by the grass.
6. Water thoroughly.

You can find a Harvest Blend dealer near you by clicking here. If you have questions or concerns, contact one of our friendly Harvest Blend Field Reps: email Info@HarvestBlendCompost.com or call (805)925-2771.

Harvest Blend Compost - We Build Healthy Soil. Naturally!