The What, Why and When of Topdressing
Improve your lawn and gardens’ vitality, productivity and beauty with topdressing.
Topdressing is the practice of spreading compost, fertilizer or other material over the soil surface of lawns and gardens. By topdressing with compost you’ll increase the organic matter and nutrient availability in the soil. This means you need to water and fertilize less often.
Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost over the soil surface of perennial gardens and planting beds every two to three years. Cover with an organic mulch to help suppress weeds, conserve moisture and further improve the soil. You can topdress gardens anytime the ground isn’t frozen, but it’s easiest to do right after cutting back your perennials.
Topdress your lawn with compost right after dethatching or core aerating. The compost helps reduce soil compaction and thatch build up.
A bit more information: Increase the benefits to struggling perennials gardens. Once you topdress the garden with compost, use an auger bit to aerate the soil and mix some of the compost into the top 4 to 6” of soil.
Related
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 3, 2024
Garden Trends
Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI
April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now
April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now
April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds:
A Gardener’s Perspective
Glendale, WI
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More