How to dress your lawn for the winter using topsoil
Winter brings all sorts of trouble for our garden lawns, with the
lack of sunlight only the beginning of it. The frost and fierce winds, soil
saturated from rain and the occasional snowfall all suppress growth and limit
the amount of drainage that naturally occurs.
What is Topdressing?
Topdressing is the simple application of a soil improver, usually a dressing of topsoil or a mix of topsoil and compost or sand on the surface of lawn turf and grass plants. Once applied, the topdressing soil improver should be gently worked into the sward, or upper layer of soil.
The process of topdressing is important to a lawn’s health during the winter as it dilutes the layer of dead and dying grass plant roots and all the leaf material that escaped the clutches of your leaf rake. Diluting this layer of thatch improves the drainage capabilities of the soil while keeping the surface drier and firmer.
With deft use of a shovel and leaf rake, you can also use the
topdressing process to smooth out any irregular peaks and troughs while adding
an additional layer of protection against general wear and tear.
How to Apply Topsoil Topdressing
Topdressing should be first applied with a shovel by scooping it up and scattering it evenly about, with the bevelled back edge of a wooden hay or leaf rake used for the working-in process. Do make sure the topsoil topdressing is applied evenly before working it in with the leaf rake, as this makes the whole process much easier.
A commonly recommended amount to use is about two kilos per square metre, especially if you are applying the topdressing in autumn in anticipation of a cold winter. By applying the topdressing before it gets really cold out, it has a chance to settle in and dry out before the weather gets too harsh.
If you mix sand in with your topsoil, make sure it is a good
quality sand, not a basic builders sand, and make sure all of the sand has been
worked into the sward. Achieve this by simply working it in multiple different
directions until it is no longer visible on the surface.
When to Apply Topsoil Topdressing
Topdressing can technically be applied all year round, but the most beneficial time is during autumn. Topdressing your lawn turf and grass plants just prior to the winter provides protection from rain, frost and snow for the roots and grass plant crowns.
Autumn is also advisable as it is also a good idea to apply the
topdressing while the lawn grass is in good health and growing well.
If you require topsoil or soil improver products, high quality
lawn turf or seeds for the likes of grass plants and wildflowers, then contact Springbridge via our website or call
today on 0845 370 1921 for more information.