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Top - salad dressing a lawn is a fancy terminus for amending the ground without touch the sod . linksman might be familiar with the drill because this technique was first perform on golf line in Scotland as a agency to meliorate the Green , and dates back to the 15th century , which is as far back as the invention of the game itself .
Lawn topdressing is a treatment that improves the grease quality , and thus , enhances the growth of healthy grass . Sometimes referred to as compost topdressing , the procedure involves tot up a thin level of constitutional material to all or parts of the lawn .
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Benefits of Top-Dressing a Lawn
Top - dressing a lawn is an well-to-do DIY project with several benefits :
Top - fertilisation also can helplevel odd terraincaused by worm castings , water overflow , or freeze / thaw cycles .
When to Top-Dress a Lawn
There ’s no specific time for when to top - dress a lawn . However , it ’s best to do it while the grass is actively growing . Cool - time of year grass typesdo best if they ’re top - dressed in late fall , while warm - season smoke benefit from a late spring topdressing .
You also can top - dress a lawn when overseeding it if the lawn prove drainage trouble , or when you think the skunk needs extra nutrient . Other signs that it ’s time for topdressing admit :
For all - over lawn topdressing , once every few years should do . Topdressing more oft than that could raise the level of the lawn and create new drain return . Top - dressing bare spot can be done as needed .
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Best Topdressing Materials
There are several different textile that can be used for top - dressing a lawn . The pick of topdress soil will look on the type of territory already under the skunk . For optimal upshot , take a stuff close in grain and composing to the existing soil . If the topdressing consists of a drastically unlike land type , it creates a distinct layer that could obstruct line and water circulation , leave in a decrease in turf quality .
Compost
more often than not considered the best topdressing for lawns , compostis the most commonly used additive and is the preferred fabric for all dirt types because it contains micronutrients and macronutrients . Compost also has good microbes that break down constituent topic and release nutrient toimprove the soil . Since it moves to the ground more quick than other materials , it ’s more effective sooner , especially if the molecule are fine .
Commercial compost can be buy , or gardener can make their own compost using leaves , grass clippings , and some intellectual nourishment rubbish .
Sand
Topdressing sand is a good alternative when there are drainage problem because it resists densification . For this reason , it ’s often used in combining with heavy Lucius Clay dirt . Its texture can bring smoothness to a lawn and reduce thatch , which is why golf courses often expend guts . Sand can also improve the drought tolerance of the dirt and assist grass develop a better root system .
topdress gumption should have intermediate - size particles ( not too fine or too coarse ) and be calcium hydrate - free . Mason sand often is conceive the best for top - dressing , although concrete sand and refined sugar sand ( beach sand ) can be used .
Topsoil
Topsoil is a honest alternative for topdressing onlawns that need leveling or grading . If your lawn topsoil has holes to be filled in , topsoil for sens is a coherent choice . It can also be a less expensive stuff to purchase . However , topsoil lacks the nutrients contain in compost .
To overcome both those issues and create the best topsoil for grass in their lawn , some homeowners blend materials . Adding topsoil to either compost or sand ( or both ) can be an scotch method of top - dressing a lawn .
How to Top-Dress a Lawn
Top - salad dressing is n’t a unmanageable lawn undertaking . Depending on the size of your M , it ’s possible to complete this job in a day . It ’s a labor - intensive job , but DIYers can speed it up by renting a motorised broadcaster . You ’ll want to follow these canonical measure in society for good results .
If you require to fertilize your lawn , it ’s usually best done after top - salad dressing , although some expert recommend doing it a few weeks prior to top - dressing . However , top - salad dressing first can make it easier for the grass to take up the fertilizer .
Do n’t pout for a week to 10 days after topdressing .
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