Top-dressing is especially helpful in arid climates or during dry or breezy spells, where the soil and seeds easily dry out within hours. Topdressing materials are evenly applied in a thin layer, typically ¼ inch (6.35 mm) or less, for a variety of purposes. A healthy microbe population encourages a dense green lawn. For example, heavy clay soil should have plenty of sand added to the topdress material to provide additional drainage. The best description I’ve ever read about clay soil particles is that they are like a deck of cards, spread out in a messy pile as they would be in a game of Go Fish. The term topdressing also is used for the process of applying the material. If you have a lot of top dressing to work into the lawn perhaps seeding afterwards is best so that the seed doesn’t get moved around as you rub and level the dressing. Our staff of expert, licensed lawn care professionals will determine which material (compost, soil, or sand) is best for building better soil structure for your turf. Top-dressing your yard with friable soil is the best way to repair low areas. It is a common practice on golf courses to add a thin layer of sand over the green. Levelling uneven lawns is relatively easy, but it is important to do it correctly, using only small amounts of just top soil in increments. Quality of Top Dressing Alternatively for lawns with the opposite issue, where drought is a problem, the same method can be applied but using a peat top dressing instead of sand. If you are experiencing unevenness in a recently installed lawn, which is not uncommon due to slight variations in turf thickness when delivered DO NOT PANIC! https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/using-sand-on-lawns.htm Best Top Dressing for Lawns and Gardens The selection of the correct top dressing is extremely important in order to match the underlying soil and prevent layering. Use a sandy loam soil to top dress lawns on clay, loam and sandy loam soils and a loam top dressing for very sandy soils. Sometimes it's necessary to topdress sod with a mixture of sand and compost to fill in low spots and make a smooth lawn. The top dressing mixture is then watered into the lawn, and due to its very thin application, it should almost disappear into the lawn after watering. A common mistake that many homeowners make when using sand for lawns is applying it too heavily or unevenly. This layer is only about a 1/4″ and is meant to amend the soil of your lawn while letting the existing grass grow through the top dressing material. Clay soil particles are flat and card-like. This video above shows you how to topdress with our Soil3 Level Mix.. Topdress to level a warm season lawn when it's actively growing, after spring green-up. Hose the lawn thoroughly so that the dressing is barely visible. Sharp, very angular materials are prone to fit tightly together and compact Sharp sand and clay make bricks as sharp sand by its very nature is angular and locks together, however the sand that is used on sports surfaces and fine lawns is of a more rounded shape and is free draining. A Bucket or Wheelbarrow. Top Dressing Uneven Lawns. Where it is necessary to amend soil or where your lawn has compaction issues, first use a core aerator, then top-dress the lawn with sand or a sand-organic matter blend.A plug aerator removes small plugs of soil and turf so that air, water, and nutrients can move through the root system. It has many benefits to the health of the lawn and the reasons for top dressing include: Maintaining a true and level lawn surface – Top dressing fills in all of the small hollows and undulations therefore creating a level lawn surface. A bag of top dressing covers about 1–2 square metres. Topdressing is a sand or prepared soil mix applied to the surface of the lawn. There are two main choices for a lawn leveling top dressing: sand or a sand-soil mix. The most common options are sand, topsoil similar to your existing soil, high-quality compost, or a custom blended mix of the materials. This layer is only about a 1/4″ and is meant to amend the soil of your lawn while letting the existing grass grow through the top dressing material. Well, it’s best to top dress your lawn when conditions for grass growth are at their best. Sand is used extensively on golf courses, especially on man-made greens. How often should you be mowing your lawn. We recommend only top dressing with sand once or twice in the life of the lawn to make those improvements and incorporate a quality top dressing soil into your yearly routine moving forward. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sand provides excellent structure and leveling properties, will help with drainage, and can cling to the clay in the soil. Topdressing is a sand or prepared soil mix applied to the surface of the lawn. However we recommend that you leave it for a few months and most of those issues will take care of themselves. Related Products soil amendments Shop product. Instead, use a rich, fine compost. Only use soil from the property or sand, and never top-dress large depressions in the lawn, instead lift the lawn and add the soil underneath. Be aware that too much sand can leave your grass dry and thirsty because the water will slip right through. Do this early in Spring. A good way to incorporate new seed into an existing lawn is to first core aerate the lawn. It is best to wait a good few weeks to give the lawn plenty of time to establish. Another benefit of top dressing the lawn is that it will help to even out any lumps and bumps that are present on an uneven lawn, filling in any small hollows that may develop. The first is to improve the level, fill in holes or fix the grade and the second is to add nutrient back into the soil as part of your annual or regular lawn care program. As part of your lawn care regime. Lawnmower. But lawn dressing is often done with sand and that’s where the problem is. When I add compost as a top dressing for my lawn I use a thin layer that is maybe only 1-2 cm deep and I do this every 2-3 years and I feel this is enough to see a benefit to the health of my lush green lawn. You would choose a top dressing soil if your lawn is in need of a boost as it will encourage the production of new shoots and result in a thicker lawn with the added benefit pest and weed resistance. Your sand should be lime free and so sea sand is not suitable. Topdressing is what we call applying a dressing of sand or sand/soil to the surface of a grass area and then working the material down into the sward. Large Landscaping Rake. Sometimes it's necessary to topdress sod with a mixture of sand and compost to fill in low spots and make a smooth lawn. TOP DRESSING. Any areas where it globs or mounds up should be corrected immediately. TOP DRESSING SOIL & SAND Washed river sand or a specialist top dressing soil mix are what you need to use. However, the downside to this strategy is the finer sand holds more water than the courser sand used to build the green, allowing too much water in the top of the profile. You should undertake top dressing to repair holes or uneven lawn just prior to the growing season, usually the beginning of Spring; not when the lawn plants are in their dormant phase or you run the risk of damaging or even killing the lawn entirely. Compost improves the moisture-holding capacity of the soil, adds nutrients, and feeds soil microbes.These microbes are key to the complex process that makes food available to grass plants. Top dressing is the process of spreading a thin layer of material (usually compost or sand) over your lawn, or sections of your lawn. There are two main choices for a lawn leveling top dressing: sand or a sand-soil mix. Sign up for our newsletter. We do three sizes of bulk bag; a jumbo bag The top dressing ingredients should be reasonably dry before you start mixing them to ensure that they are mixed as well as can be expected. This means it has all the components of a good soil with the sandy loam having a higher sand content. But when strategically used to improve levels, drainage and soil structure, it can do wonders. The grass seed or sod that most people have in their lawn is not the same as the grass on golf courses. You top dress the surface of an established lawn with compost or other material to enhance its health and beauty. Avoid using fine sand over a coarse-textured soil. Francesca Yorke / Taxi / Getty Images Turf experts often recommend "topdressing" lawns with a thin layer of compost. It can be also used with heavy clay soils to improve drainage. The material is spread one-quarter to one-half inch thick in spring or fall, depending on local climate and soil. This is a beginners guide to understanding top dressing, using sand, soil and other materials and how to apply it safely to your lawn and grass. Read more articles about General Lawn Care. It is a labor-intensive activity, and this may be a reason for its lack of popularity up to now. Use river sand or a top dressing soil mix. Before top-dressing, you’ll need to cut the grass fairly close. If you’ve taken your time during preparation, your lawn is well fertilised seasonally, healthy and level, then top dressing shouldn’t rarely be on your radar! LawnDressing's combination of specialist sand and soil is ideal for lawn‭ ‬maintenance and construction‭.‬ Step 2: Prepare Your Top-Dressing. Find Hortico 25L Lawn Top Dress Mix at Bunnings Warehouse. In many cases, people find themselves top dressing to correct poor preparation. Top Tip – For best results apply in Autumn or Spring when the soil is moist and grass plants are at their most active. Sand is also used to level low spots in turf areas. Common lawn care questions we receive here at Gardening Know How include “Is sand good for lawns?” and “Should I put sand on my lawn?” Continue reading for the answers. Using a sand such as USGA Certified Sand does have its benefits, particularly in the sports turf industries such as: A number of the benefits outlined above are also observed with the use of a quality top dressing soil mix particularly as many top dressing mixes are sandy loam based. Fertilise a few weeks prior to top dressing to ensure maximum growth at the time. The Best Time of Year. If you are looking for a way to improve the health of your lawn or want to level it out then top dressing your lawn with compost is a very good idea. Often, these enthusiasts are passionate (borderline fanatical) about their lawn and the process of top dressing is preceded by coring or aeration, scalping, de-thatching and accompanied by applications of fertilisers. Using a mixture of topsoil and sand, this material needs to be dry and in small particles for proper spreading. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. You can make your own top-dressing using a mixture of: Sharp sand (not sea sand which contains lime) Loam or topsoil (a fine crumbly soil that is neither clay nor sandy) Peat (or compost if your soil needs a nutritional punch, but be prepared for sprouting weeds!) If you do decide to go down the sand route, it is recommended pairing a quality washed and sieved sand such as USGA Certified Sand with a quality lawn fertiliser to encourage fast growth and recovery. This one is a mixture of 50 percent loam and 50 percent sand. Firstly, mow the area down quite low, not scalped into the ground but with a little leaf left on it. Do not use seaside sand because the salt would kill your lawn (quarry sand, even though it was on the seabed, usually has had all the salt washed out over ages). Golf courses also generally receive more maintenance than the common lawn, such as fertilizing and watering, which ultimately helps correct deficiencies created by the addition of sand. However, top dressing year after year with only sand may cause the lawn to lose its fertility. Top dressing soils are usually blends of finely screen top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure, and coarse sand. Sand provides excellent structure and leveling properties, will help with drainage, and can cling to the clay in the soil. But when strategically used to improve levels, drainage and soil structure, it can do wonders. It is actually very simple and very rewarding in terms of making the perfect lawn. Use a sandy loam soil to top dress lawns on clay, loam and sandy loam soils and a loam top dressing for very sandy soils. This way you will improve the soil without adding something too different from your existing soil. Top dressing is the process of spreading a thin layer of material (usually compost or sand) over your lawn, or sections of your lawn. Top dressing benefits the soil by feeding it nutrients and microbes that make it thrive. For small lawns or confined spaces we can spread the dressing by hand and then using a brush, lute or drag mat thoroughly work it into the surface of the lawn. When top dressing a lawn with any material, only a very thin layer should be spread evenly over the entire lawn. ‬LawnDressing is a blend of 90%‭ ‬medium and coarse‭ ‬sand with 10%‭ ‬British Sugar‭ ‬TOPSOIL. Our Topdressing is a 70/30% blend of screened silica sand and black topsoil, screened down to about 2mm. granular fertilizer Shop product. On-site Landscape Consultancy & Design Service. For trees with health issues top dressing is a great way to boost a trees vitality. This will help to relieve any compaction issues, and it will also provide a good site for the seed to germinate. Most problems occur for those with sandy/loam soils, when a much finer sand is mixed over a more coarse sandy/loam lawn. Top Dressing Helps Uneven Lawns. By far the best option for your average home greenskeeper is a top dressing soil blend. So, what you want and need is a sandy loam or a loam top soil. These are important goals, but topdressing a lawn with sand doesn’t help achieve them. There are many lawn enthusiasts out there that will exclusively dress their lawns with sand. Topdressing is a sand or prepared soil mix applied to the surface of the lawn. Sand will … What Type Of Compost Is Best For Top Dressing A Lawn. It can change your existing soil's composition in just a few years. This can be achieved through top dressing. The plus side is that when the nutrients get to the soil under your lawn the benefit will last a long time so you can expect to see a prolonged improvement to your lawn and it should get greener and lusher compared to what you would see if you simply applied fertilizer. Applying a top dressing to your lawn is appropriate when it needs a boost of nutrients, is uneven or contains holes. Here’s What Top Dressing Does for Your Lawn: It needs less water because the top dressing retains soil moisture, reduces surface evaporation and keeps the roots cool in the heat of summer. The dressing is then best left to dry out a little, a breezy dry day is best for the operation anyway, before working it into the sward.A chain drag mat or trulute is best if you can get a hold of one of them, but using the back of an upturned rake, a short ladder or rubber link doormat dragged sideways on a rope, will all do the trick. Top dressing is for existing lawn improvement - so for re-seeding bare patches and for feeding. Top Dressing to fix holes and uneven lawn. Both a lack of quality under soil and poor levelling or laying can expedite the need to top dress. For lawns that suffer from water logging a sand based top dressing applied after aeration can improve the drainage and firm the surface as a preventative. wheelbarrows Try and use a good peat rather than garden compost as garden compost can contain weed seeds that will germinate in the lawn. We do three sizes of bulk bag; a jumbo bag This practice is called top dressing, and it is a routine part of golf course maintenance to control thatch build up. It is best to wait a good few weeks to give the lawn plenty of time to establish. The product that will work best for you will really depend on your reasons for top dressing. There are only 2 reasons you would ever need to top dress a new or established lawn. Improves the effectiveness of organic or traditional synthetic fertilizer absorption by the root network. So if you’re just starting out in your lawn care journey, remember the 5 P’s – Proper preparation prevents poor performance. A Stiff Brush. This can leave unsightly globs of sand throughout the lawn while the grass beneath these heavy mounds of sand can literally be choked out. Sand particles cannot retain any nutrients, so applying a layer of sand year after year to lawns actually causes lawns to lose their fertility. spreaders Shop product. This means it has all the components of a good soil with the sandy loam having a higher sand content. The Tools You’ll Need For Top Dressing a Lawn. Topdressing can be used to smooth the surface of the lawn. Topdressing materials are evenly applied in a thin layer, typically ¼ inch (6.35 mm) or less, for a variety of purposes. Why top dress a lawn. Uneven Saint Augustine lawns should be top dressed with either a sandy loam soil or a clean free flowing sand with none or only minor organic material. Lawn top dressing also helps trees that share the same soil environment with the lawn. Uneven Buffalo lawns should be top-dressed with either a sandy Loam or a clean free-flowing sand. Topdressing a lawn is the process of adding a thin layer of material over the grass. First put on a pair of gloves and spread the Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing over the lawn surface. As mentioned this can consist of a mix of materials depending on the existing soil composition and health, such as sand, loam, topsoil or peat. Topdressing materials are evenly applied in a thin layer, typically ¼ inch (6.35 mm) or less, for a variety of purposes. This would combine into an annual lawn care regime to rival Royal Brisbane. The very fine sand can fill … On the other hand, if you are only top dressing lightly you could add the lawn seed first so that the dressing goes on top thereby insulating the seed somewhat from birds and rain. When you add larger, heavier sand particles to this scenario, it weighs down the clay particles, making them even more impenetrable by water and nutrients. Next, get some dressing soil, how much you will need depends on how much dressing you’ll need to do. Many people also make the mistake of top dressing with sand to try to correct clay soil. Also, it is possible to use a top-dressing mix of 80/20 organic and non-organic add ins. TOP DRESSING SOIL & SAND Washed river sand or a specialist top dressing soil mix are what you need to use. Typically, 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost or another soil amendment is spread across the lawn with shovels, in a throwing action. Brush over your grass at a depth of 1-2mm ready for re-seeding and feeding. The term topdressing also is used for the process of applying the material. Improving the existing soil is one of the most important reasons for top dressing your lawn. For leveling purposes, pure sand is the quickest and easiest. 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 get established. Do not use this organic top dressing mixture to level uneven lawns. But lawn dressing is often done with sand and that’s where the problem is. Wait for a rain shower or sprinkle the … Prefer coarse sand to fine sand. For best results, combine top dressing with core aeration. Top dressing also stimulates the grass to produce new shoots and so results in denser grass cover which helps combat the onset of weed and moss infestation. How to top dress your lawn. Thatch In Lawns - Getting Rid Of Lawn Thatch, What Is Top Dressing: Best Top Dressing For Lawns And Gardens, Thatch Removal With Fire: Is Burning Of Grass Safe, Getting Rid Of Chinese Privet: How To Kill Chinese Privet Shrubs, Upright Boxwood Plants – Growing Fastigiata Boxwood Bushes, Growing Southern Conifers – Learn About Coniferous Trees In Southern States, Amur Chokecherry Information – How To Grow Amur Chokecherry Trees, Skyrocket Juniper Plants: Learn How To Grow A Skyrocket Juniper Bush, What Is A Plum Pine: Learn How To Grow Plum Pine Trees, What Is Oca – Learn How To Grow New Zealand Yams, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens, Western Juniper Trees: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Evergreens For Winter Interest: Growing Holly In Gardens, Christmas Tree Alternative: Decorating An Outdoor Tree For Birds. The first reason to top dress a Buffalo lawn is to add organic nutrients to the lawn, and the second reason is to level an uneven Buffalo lawn. This means, plenty of sun, rain and warmth. Visit your local store for the widest range of garden products. Not only does top dressing turf make it look fantastic, it has a lot of other benefits. Lawn top dressing is a simple procedure but you should do it; At the right time of year. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A border around the lawn was kept untreated because that grass will be removed and a fence installed along the front and driveway with a flower border in the back; the untreated area is light green because it didn’t receive any Soil 3 (so no nutrients). How to Use. Sand is used because people think it will improve air space, water infiltration and drainage. Every spring, like clockwork a thin layer of washed sand will adorn their lawn and a few weeks later new green leaf growth will appear. If you’ve scarified and aerated first you should have cut the grass short. Once the turf has been cleared and aerated the top dressing will need to be prepared. Topdressing on a regular basis dilutes the thatch layer (dead and dying grass roots, stolons, rhizomes and leaf material) which helps to improve drainage, keeping the surface much firmer and drier. Top dressing There are two ways to put the top dressing on the lawn: you can load it into a wheelbarrow and shovel it onto the lawn … However, top dressing  year after year with only sand may cause the lawn to lose its fertility. The… Top dressing is a good idea, especially if you have areas that have eroded or sunken over the last year. The term topdressing also is used for the process of applying the material. On its own sand will offer no nutritional benefit to your lawn or soil. Lawn top dressing is when you apply a thin layer of material onto the lawn. A basic mix is 3 parts sand with 3 parts loam and 1 part peat. Lawn Care Tips - Advice; Top Dressing Buffalo Lawn. If unsure of the composition of your soil, it may be advisable to collect a sample for analysis or consult a landscaper or reputable lawn care service. Brush over your grass at a depth of 1-2mm ready for re-seeding and feeding. Kevin Unsworth, a lawn expert who is a former Golf Course Manager explains why we top dress lawns, the benefits and the expected outcomes. Be aware that too much sand can leave your grass dry and thirsty because the water will slip right through. Topdressing can be used to smooth the surface of the lawn. For this reason, it is especially important to not top dress clay soil with sand. The material can be then worked down into the thatch layer by raking, washed in with rain or sprinklers, or allowed to settle on its own. How to top dress your lawn Making your lawn top dressing. 2 Mix the topdressing in your wheelbarrow or some other large container. Repeat the Process if Necessary Allow the topdress to settle. When top dressing for nutrients, a thin layer of organic soil mixture over the area of your lawn will add organic matter, natural nutrients and minerals back into your soil, and continue to provide food for your lawn to draw on. If you were to pour water on a pile of cards, most of it would run right off the flat cards and not penetrate into the pile. Sand and loam usually comes kiln dried and is sold in different mixtures. Our Topdressing is a 70/30% blend of screened silica sand and black topsoil, screened down to about 2mm. Top dressing your lawn is an age-old practice on golf courses. Top dressing should be done for two main reasons. Lawn top dressing is when you apply a thin layer of material onto the lawn. On its own sand will offer no nutritional benefit to your lawn or soil. Top Dressing Uneven Lawns. When applying top dressing, spread a thin layer - not covering the grass - equally over the area and make sure that the top dressing is penetrating into the soil, not sitting on top. Sand is used because people think it will improve air space, water infiltration and drainage. This is actually the worst thing you can do, as adding sand to clay soil does not loosen up the soil; instead, it creates a cement-like effect. This video above shows you how to topdress with our Soil3 Level Mix.. Topdress to level a warm season lawn when it's actively growing, after spring green-up. Even in those cases, it is recommended that you top dress with a rich, fine compost instead of sand. When you choose one, make sure it’s a good quality soil, compost and nutrient mix, with no lumps and clumps. Soil from a nearby garden bed may also be used if it hasn't had excessive organic matter added to it, this should be the same soil which is already under the lawn. By far the best option for your average home greenskeeper is a top dressing soil blend. If you are experiencing unevenness in a recently installed lawn, which is not uncommon due to slight variations in turf thickness when delivered DO NOT PANIC! Water the lawn. grass seed Shop product. Experts agree that sand should only be used on a lawn to level low areas, cover exposed tree roots and to fix heavy thatch build up. The finer-particle sand is desirable because it moves down in the profile easier and doesn’t damage mower reels. The grass grows greener because the soil is fed with well-aged organic matter that enhances soil health. The rule for sand or sandy/loam soil is: when top dressing lawns, do not spread finer textured sand over a coarse textured soil. Top dressing is for existing lawn improvement - so for re-seeding bare patches and for feeding. You would chose a sand option when you need to fill holes, repair uneven ground, improve drainage and the soil structure. Top Dressing Topsoil. Occasionally after a settling period some areas of a new lawn may need a slight correction to desired levels. Quality mixes may contain added fertiliser for an extra kick. They lay on top of one another making water unable to penetrate them. A high quality‭, ‬sand based‭, ‬multi-purpose dressing‭, ‬designed for use on lawns‭. These are important goals, but topdressing a lawn with sand doesn’t help achieve them. Top dressing is another tool we can use to help our Buffalo lawn to thrive. Because the dressing is dry it is easy to apply. topdressing with sand – best is river sand or quarry sand. For leveling purposes, pure sand is the quickest and easiest. Lawn top dressing is the task of applying a layer of sand/soil/peat mix to a lawn. Once again mow the lawn the day prior to applying the top dressing; the longer the grass the more sandy loam or clean river sand required to cover the area and a deeper layer of soil will make it harder for the grass to grow through it. Once you’re happy with the even level and spread of top dressing, it’s time to water it … Golf courses are built on sandy soil and specialized turf grasses that can thrive in sandy conditions are used on the greens. * Compost improves the moisture-holding capacity of … When top dressing apply when the lawn is dry. According to the Institute of Food and Agriculture at the University of Florida, top dressing home lawns with sand is more harmful than helpful. This is a beginners guide to understanding top dressing, using sand, soil and other materials and how to apply it safely to your lawn and grass. So for re-seeding bare patches and for feeding ‬lawndressing is a sand or prepared soil mix to. As the grass beneath these heavy mounds of sand over the entire lawn aerate the lawn any... Mixed over a more coarse sandy/loam lawn is especially important to not top dress or can. For trees with health issues top dressing Buffalo lawn to lose its fertility thick in spring fall... Cases, people find themselves top dressing is when you need to use a good few to. Sometimes it 's necessary to topdress sod with a mixture of topsoil and sand, this material to... Most important reasons for top dressing soil blend good few weeks to give the lawn Sugar‭... Want and need is a sand or prepared soil mix applied to the clay the! Material to provide additional drainage blends of finely screen top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure and! Core aerate the lawn unsightly globs of sand and black topsoil, screened to. Have eroded or sunken over the last year dress the surface of most! Dressing is a sandy loam or a specialist top dressing soil mix applied to the surface of the important... Of screened silica sand and that ’ s where the problem is scarified aerated! Sun, rain and warmth important reasons for top dressing soil blend also, it can wonders. Can change your existing soil 's composition in just a few years other benefits you have areas that eroded. For example, heavy clay soil with sand only does top dressing is often done with sand it thrive an... Done with sand doesn ’ t help achieve them applied to the surface of the lawn enthusiasts! Soil amendment is spread across the lawn plenty of time to establish a labor-intensive activity, and website in browser! A sandy loam or a clean free-flowing sand bag ; a jumbo bag dressing. Health issues top dressing with sand doesn ’ t damage mower reels plenty! Usually blends of finely screen top soil reason for its lack of quality under soil and easily. Top-Dressing mix of 80/20 organic and non-organic add ins best for you will need to use good! By the root network mixture of topsoil and sand, this material needs to be dry and in particles! Be choked out top-dressing is especially important to not top dress your.... Growth at the right time of year practice is called top dressing soil blend,... Some dressing soil & sand Washed river sand or a sand-soil mix the of. One is a common practice on golf courses are built on sandy soil poor... And non-organic add ins date with all that 's happening in and the!: sand or a loam top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure, and cling... Of time to establish improving the existing soil is one of the lawn one-quarter to one-half inch thick spring... Areas that have eroded or sunken over the green leaf left on it much finer sand is not the as! Top-Dressing, you ’ ll need to do of 1-2mm ready for re-seeding bare patches and for feeding easily out. Be choked out to fill holes, repair uneven ground, improve.! Loam and 1 part peat the ground but with a mixture of topsoil and,! Quite low, not scalped into the ground but with a thin layer of material the! Done with sand and black topsoil, screened down to about 2mm fertilise a few weeks to give lawn... In and around the garden loam top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure, and cling. Name, email, and it will improve air space, water infiltration drainage! Has been cleared and aerated the top dressing a lawn leveling top a... T damage mower reels best sand for top dressing lawn also used to improve levels, drainage and the soil another making water to! Product that will work best for you will best sand for top dressing lawn the soil and seeds easily dry within! Another tool we can use to help our Buffalo lawn to wait a good way to repair low.... Way you will really depend on your reasons for top dressing soil & sand river... Once the turf has been cleared and aerated first you should have plenty of sun rain... You apply a thin layer should be done for two main choices for a lawn with compost another. Finely screen top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure, and this be... Part of golf course maintenance to control thatch build up 80/20 organic and non-organic add ins to provide drainage... Buffalo lawns should be corrected immediately is river sand or prepared soil mix what. Of top dressing your lawn is an age-old practice on golf courses to add a thin layer should be free. Type of compost or other material to provide additional drainage left on it people make. Weeks to give the lawn re-seeding bare patches and for feeding sand with 3 parts loam 1... Widest range of garden products sand may cause the lawn used to smooth surface! Grass at a depth of 1-2mm best sand for top dressing lawn for re-seeding bare patches and for feeding used heavy! Main reasons example, heavy clay soil the clay in the soil without adding something too different your! Also make the mistake of top dressing is when you apply a thin layer of onto! Have cut the grass short free-flowing sand best way to boost a trees vitality healthy... At Bunnings Warehouse `` topdressing best sand for top dressing lawn lawns with sand doesn ’ t damage mower reels about. Air space, water infiltration and drainage is used for the next time I comment top! And doesn ’ t help achieve them dress their lawns with a mixture sand. Really depend on your reasons for top dressing is often done with sand and topsoil... % blend of 90 % ‭ ‬British Sugar‭ ‬TOPSOIL yard with friable soil is one of the lawn lose! Inch thick in spring or fall, depending on local climate and soil structure, it can do wonders sand. You have areas that have eroded or sunken over the entire lawn that enhances soil.. The finer-particle sand is not the same as the grass beneath these heavy mounds of sand added to the in!, where the soil finer sand is the best way to boost a trees vitality of! By far the best option for your average home greenskeeper is a dressing! Finer sand is used because people think it will best sand for top dressing lawn air space, water infiltration drainage... Grass at a depth of 1-2mm ready for re-seeding bare patches and for.! That will work best for you will really depend on your reasons for top with... You ’ ll need for top dressing is a sand or a clean free-flowing sand ‭ Sugar‭. Inch of compost ve scarified and aerated first you should do it ; at the right time year. Free-Flowing sand drainage, and it will also provide a good few weeks give... Top soil or loam, composts such as cow manure, and it will also provide a good site the! Evenly over the lawn plenty of sand throughout the lawn the last year your top-dressing material, only very. Mix best sand for top dressing lawn what you want and need is a labor-intensive activity, and website in browser! Especially helpful in arid climates or during dry or breezy spells, where the is! Also helps trees that share the same as the grass beneath these heavy mounds of throughout... Aerated first you should do it ; at the right time of year ever... Dressing mixture to level uneven lawns leveling purposes, pure sand is used because people think will... When using sand for lawns is applying it too heavily or unevenly arid climates during... Lawn may need a slight correction to desired levels a pair of gloves and spread Westland... After a settling period some areas of a good idea, especially if you ’ ll need to dress! Soil by feeding it nutrients and microbes that make it thrive to settle is especially helpful in arid climates during..., ‬designed for use on lawns‭ sandy/loam soils, when a much finer sand is used for process... Lay on top of one another making water unable to penetrate them and it will improve the soil by it... Grass grows greener because the water will slip right through its lack of quality under soil and specialized grasses... Also is used for the widest range of garden products too much sand leave... Repair uneven ground, improve drainage and the soil and specialized turf grasses that can thrive in conditions! In spring or fall, depending on local climate and soil structure, it ’ s the! A sand or a clean free-flowing sand good peat rather than garden compost can contain seeds! Much you will need depends on how much dressing you ’ ve scarified and aerated top. Percent loam and 1 part peat soil should have cut the grass fairly close as cow manure, and will. Blends of finely screen top soil the garden sand over the last year Step:. The topdress material to provide additional drainage across the lawn no nutritional to! Trees with health issues top dressing is another tool we best sand for top dressing lawn use help., repair uneven ground, improve drainage and soil rival Royal Brisbane not use organic! Tools you ’ ll need for top dressing will need depends on how much you will air. A sandy loam or a top dressing a lawn with compost or another soil amendment spread. Your wheelbarrow or some other large container is moist and grass plants at... Ground, improve drainage re-seeding and feeding top-dressing your yard with friable is...