PUBLICATION W161N
Turfgrass Maintenance: Topdressing
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Summary
Topdressing adds a thin, even layer of soil or organic material over turf to help manage thatch, smooth surfaces, protect turf during cold weather, and improve the root zone over time. This guide explains how mixing soil with thatch speeds decomposition and improves water movement, why matching the topdressing texture to existing soil helps avoid layering problems, and how aerification can prepare turf for root zone improvement. It also gives typical application depths, material amounts, and timing tips for active growth periods.
Publications in Series: Turfgrass Maintenance
Turfgrass Maintenance: Cultivation
Turfgrass Maintenance: Developing a Turf Fertilization Plan
Turfgrass Maintenance: Essential Elements
Turfgrass Maintenance: Fertilizers
Turfgrass Maintenance: Irrigation
Turfgrass Maintenance: Mowers
Turfgrass Maintenance: Mowing
Turfgrass Maintenance: Rolling
Turfgrass Maintenance: Thatch
Harvested for You
Based on the subjects and categories of this publication, you may be interested in the following resources.
Turfgrass Selection for Tennessee Landscapes
Large Patch vs. Brown Patch in Turfgrass: How to Tell the Difference
Instructions for Collecting and Packing Turfgrass Sample for Diagnostic Lab
