$0.00

Cart

Secure checkout
0

Top Dressing Your Lawn

So what actually is Top Dressing?

And no, we don’t mean getting all dressed up for the weather 😁 Top dressing is the art of Lawn restoration and fertilisation often involving applying a thin layer of soil, or a soil and fertiliser mix over your lawn. Timing is one of the most important factors when it comes to top dressing and Spring is the perfect time for the best results.

When is top dressing necessary?

Top dressing is typically required to address issues like poor soil preparation, uneven areas, or low spots. If your lawn is already even and well-maintained, top dressing may not be necessary.

How does top dressing help?

Top dressing provides multiple benefits, such as reducing thatch (the accumulation of dead grass), improving nutrient retention, drainage, and boosting disease and pest resistance. It’s an excellent way to revive a lawn that’s starting to look a little tired, particularly in areas like the Sunshine Coast where specific soil types and weather conditions can impact lawn health.

Best Time to Top Dress Your Lawn

Timing is one of the most important Factors when it comes to top dressing! Late spring to early summer is ideal, especially on the Sunny Coast when the weather warms up and rainfall becomes more consistent. During this period, your lawn will be growing vigorously, making it the perfect time to top dress for the best results.

Top Dressing for New Lawns

New lawns rarely need top dressing straight away but may benefit after a few months, especially if you notice gaps or settling. It’s always best to allow the lawn to establish itself before making corrections. However, if areas appear uneven or low, a light application of river sand or a top dressing soil mix will help. Be sure to fertilise a few weeks beforehand to ensure maximum growth during the top dressing process.

Top Dressing for Established Lawns

For existing lawns that are looking uneven or have developed low spots, a top dressing can help bring them back to their best. Begin by mowing the lawn short, aerating it, and then spreading the top dressing evenly. Never apply more than 1cm of top dressing in a single application, and make sure that grass tips remain exposed so the lawn can continue to photosynthesise. Broom the top dressing into the grass to encourage soil contact, which will promote healthy growth.

Improving Soil Profile

Top dressing is also an excellent way to improve the soil profile of your lawn. Using a combination of sand, loam, and compost ensures your lawn has a well-draining base that retains moisture. This mix promotes deep root development, which is essential for a strong and drought-resistant lawn, particularly in the dry winters and hot summers of the Sunshine Coast.

Leveling Your Lawn

Top dressing can also help level out uneven lawns. For leveling, washed or screened sand is the preferred material, as it’s easier to spread and less likely to compact too hard. Avoid brickies sand, as its higher clay content can cause surface crusting and prevent water from penetrating the soil, leading to a hydrophobic surface.

Additional Tips

  • Always ensure that you prepare your lawn by fertilising and watering it a few weeks before top dressing to maximise the benefits.
  • Regular aeration helps ensure that your lawn’s roots are getting enough oxygen, and it can improve the overall health of your grass.
  • If your lawn struggles in certain areas, top dressing combined with overseeding can help fill in bare patches and promote even growth.

Top dressing can significantly improve your lawn’s health, whether you’re looking to fix uneven areas, improve soil quality, or simply give your lawn a fresh start. With the right timing and materials, you’ll ensure your lawn thrives in the Sunshine Coast’s unique climate.

Resources:

Lawn Solutions
Top Dressing Your Lawn
Rosemount Turf Site Icon

Greg Pelka

We are a local, Sunshine Coast turf grass company with a committed team to providing a quality lawn. Like any small business it's the people who make it great. Above are the friendly staff you'll meet and deal with when ordering turf from Rosemount Turf.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Questions?

Call us now on 07 5448 6398 or fill out the form below and we will get in contact with you.
Global Contact Form
Subscribe to the Rosemount Turf newsletter
You can sign up in the newsletter form below to receive the latest news and updates on all things Turf.
Newsletter Form (#1)
Non Contact Delivery

An important note to all our Rosemount Turf customers and followers:

We understand that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having a significant impact on all Australians and that it is a difficult and unprecedented time at the moment. We wanted to assure you that health and safety are the top priorities for Rosemount Turf management and staff. There are certain measures that we have put in place to ensure that our customers and employees are safe. We are being vigilant with our office and ensuring all surfaces are sterilised and cleaned regularly.

We would like to remind you that orders can be made online or over the phone and paid for via credit card, so no cash handling is needed. We can arrange delivery and the placement of your turf over the phone with our administration staff when you purchase. You don't need to be home when it is delivered.

If you have any further questions regarding any of our safety policies that we have in place during this time, or would like to discuss some new turf, give us a call on (07) 5448 6398.

Rosemount turf along with Lawn Solutions Australia is reaffirming our commitment to consumers with our ability to produce and deliver high quality turf products to consumers. No contact is required during the ordering or delivering process.

info@rosemountturf.com.au07 5448 6398
Web Design and Marketing by
EnvisionWorks Logo
menu-circlecross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram