Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.
Jonathon Jachura is a two-time homeowner with hands-on experience with HVAC, gutters, plumbing, lawn care, pest control, and other aspects of owning a home. He is passionate about home maintenance and finding the best services. His main goal is to educate others with crisp, concise descriptions that any homeowner can use. Jon uses his strong technical background to create engaging, easy-to-read, and informative guides. He does most of his home and lawn projects himself but hires professional companies for the “big things.” He knows what goes into finding the best service providers and contractors. Jon studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana and worked in the HVAC industry for 12 years. Between his various home improvement projects, he enjoys the outdoors, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with his family.
August 6, 2024 by Danny Lipford
A nice, thick lawn requires healthy soil as its base, but it’s difficult to make changes to the soil once the 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?
The answer is adding top-dressing. This lawn care technique involves adding a thin layer of soil mixture over your existing lawn, gradually improving soil health without damaging your turf. I’ve used top-dressing for years to transform my lawn from lackluster to lush, and I’m here to share my knowledge on how you can do the same for your yard.
If done properly, the technique of “top-dressing,” or adding a thin layer of soil over your lawn, can improve the soil without killing the existing turf — no matter the grass type. Top-dressing addresses some common lawn problems, including:
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 can:
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 severe heat or cold, especially if you are overseeding. It can be done all at once or in stages. I know one meticulous gardener who top-dresses small patches as he finds them with a wheelbarrow, whereas I brought in a truckload of top-dressing mixture and had an autumn marathon.
Most golf courses use top-dressing, with large spreaders as part of their late spring or early fall lawn maintenance. So, if you want a lush lawn like a golf course — follow these steps.
Top-dressing involves some physical labor, but the process is really just a few simple steps:
Lawns should be aerated every 2–3 years, and if yours is due, start with a nice core aeration. Core aeration removes plugs of soil from the ground and leaves channels for air, water, and our top-dressing mixture to penetrate the surface. For more information, see our article on Adventures in Aeration.
You can make your own top-dressing using a mixture of:
For average loamy soil, mix these three ingredients equally. For applications on clay soil, reduce or eliminate the loam/topsoil. For sandy soil, reduce the sand. Your ingredients need to be dry and sifted until there are no clumps larger than ¼”.
Another option is to purchase a high-quality top-dressing mixture or bagged lawn soil. Check with your local landscape supply yard — they often have a blended topsoil mixture on hand. While you won’t be able to guarantee the proportions, it’s economical and sold in bulk.
Now, you’re ready to get started. Working a few square feet at a time, shovel out a small mound (maybe 2–3 shovelfuls) of mixture onto your lawn.
Spread the soil using something flat, like the back side of a heavy garden rake, working it into aeration holes and covering low spots. Make sure the top-dressing is no more than 1” deep (preferably ½” or less) over the existing grass.
Keep working the mixture until your grass peeks through and the depth is even. I like to flip the garden rake back and forth from the flat side to the tine side, carefully combing the grass to get the top-dressing mixture settled on the soil surface.
For low spots requiring more than a couple of inches of top-dressing, first, remove the existing sod to prevent underground decay that can damage new grass seedlings. After filling in the low spot, either replace the old sod or re-seed the area. You can also address deeper spots by adding a couple of inches of top-dressing each year, slowly building it up over time.
At this point, you’re technically finished, but in my experience, a good top-dressing mixture does some settling. I would recommend watering the area well (or top-dressing before a nice rain), letting the mixture settle for a day or two, then going back with your rake and smoothing out any little hollows or bumps that may develop.
Now, you can replant grass in any bare spots. Existing grass should be able to grow through as much as an inch of top-dressing.
Trouble spots may need repeat applications, but regular, uniform top-dressing mix does not need to be an annual tradition. Keep in mind that you’re adding soil, which, over time, will raise your grade and affect thatch layer breakdown and soil ecology, so don’t go overboard.
Plan several light applications for troublesome yards rather than one deep one. For overall organic soil amendment, a very light application of top-dressing brushed into lawn aeration holes can improve any soil type and reach the root zone without raising the grade.
When it comes to DIY top-dressing, I recommend organic materials due to their advantages. Compost, well-rotted manure, and leaf mold not only improve soil structure but also introduce beneficial microorganisms.
These materials slowly release nutrients, promoting long-term soil health and water retention while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. In my experience, lawns top-dressed with organic materials show improved drought resistance and require less watering over time.
In my experience, timing is the most crucial for successful top-dressing. In most regions, early fall is ideal as it allows grass to recover before winter dormancy. However, in areas with mild winters, early spring can also work well.
Avoid top-dressing during summer heat or winter freezes, as this can stress the grass. I’ve found that matching your top-dressing schedule with your region’s growing season maximizes the benefits and minimizes potential lawn damage.
Top-dressing is a great tool for improving soil quality in already established healthy lawns. By gradually incorporating organic matter and balancing your soil, you can transform your lawn’s health from the ground up. Remember, consistency is key — while you may not see instant results, regular top-dressing will lead to a healthier, more resilient lawn over time.
Apply no more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch of top-dressing at a time to avoid smothering your grass. For severe cases, you can repeat the process annually.
While sand can improve drainage in clay soils, I find it best to use it as part of a balanced mix. Pure sand can create layering issues and potentially worsen soil conditions.
Yes, combining top-dressing with overseeding can be very effective. The new soil provides an ideal germination environment for grass seed.
Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.
Jonathon Jachura is a two-time homeowner with hands-on experience with HVAC, gutters, plumbing, lawn care, pest control, and other aspects of owning a home. He is passionate about home maintenance and finding the best services. His main goal is to educate others with crisp, concise descriptions that any homeowner can use. Jon uses his strong technical background to create engaging, easy-to-read, and informative guides. He does most of his home and lawn projects himself but hires professional companies for the “big things.” He knows what goes into finding the best service providers and contractors. Jon studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana and worked in the HVAC industry for 12 years. Between his various home improvement projects, he enjoys the outdoors, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with his family.
