Turf experts often urge “ topdressing ” lawn with a flimsy stratum of compost . Depending on the weather and territory in the domain , the material is propagate out a quartern to one-half column inch thick in the spring or declivity . * .
Compost improves the wet - holding capacity of the territory , adds nutrients , and fertilize soil microbe . These bug are cardinal to the complex unconscious process that makes intellectual nourishment available to supergrass works . A good for you microbe population encourage a dense green lawn .
Compost unfold on top of thatch can also accelerate Edward Teach decomposition and eradicate the Labour of mechanically skillful remotion .
Topdressing is the appendage of spreading a sparse stratum of compost or constitutional matter over your lawn . It helps meliorate soil health , fecundate grass , and raze rocky areas For topdressing , you want gamey - calibre compost that ’s weed and debris barren Bagged compost offer restroom but can get high-priced for large lawn . This guide incubate the best bag compost firebrand and what to calculate for when buying compost .
Why Topdress Your Lawn with Compost
Before getting into the best bagged composts , let ’s look at why topdressing is beneficial :
Feeds grease microbes – Compost contains good bacteria , fungus kingdom , and other microbes that help break down thatch and recycle food .
Adds constitutive thing – Compost improves wet retention and territory social system It also loosens compress soil over clip
allow for nutrients – Compost contain nitrogen , phosphorus , atomic number 19 and micronutrients to fertilize grass .
Reduces thatch – Microbes in compost help speed up rotting of slurred thatch layers .
Smooths mismatched region – Spreading compost help oneself level crushed or bumpy spots in the lawn
Increases drainage – Compost creates a more poriferous land structure to improve drain .
Buffers pH – ruined compost has a impersonal pH , so it can aid equilibrise acid or alkalic lawn territory .
The tonality is spread out a thin , even level at the veracious fourth dimension of yr for your climate . Most experts recommend 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness . Now get ’s look at the considerably bagged composts to use .
What to Look for in Bagged Compost
When shopping for bagged compost , check the label or description for :
Mature compost – to the full finished compost without stiff olfactory sensation . Avoid soil , mulch , or unfinished admixture .
gage / rubble loose – Compost with no visible Mary Jane , sticks , plastic , etc . Weed seeded player or dust ruins the topdressing effect .
Balanced nutrients – NPK ratio near 1 - 1 - 1 along with micronutrient . avert overly rich mixes that could burn eatage .
secure ingredients – No biosolids , manure , or chemical substance . Look for flora - establish compost .
Screened texture – OK , sift compost under 1/2 column inch maximum particle size for even circularise .
Low soluble salt – High salt subject matter can damage Gunter Grass theme . Under 4 mmhos / cm is ideal .
Getting all these character can be tricky in inexpensive bagged compost . Read on for brands that meet these criterion .
The 6 Best Bagged Composts for Lawns
Here are my top picks for bagged composts suitable for topdress lawn based on quality , eubstance , and note value :
1. Black Kow Composted Cow Manure
Black Kow blends compost moo-cow manure with peat moss and slaked lime . It has an earthy fragrance , grainy texture , and black color . The consistent quality and 1 cubic foot bags make this a success .
2. Espoma Organic Lawn Food
Espoma Lawn Food is all - natural and sulfate - detached . It contains compost plus pasteurized chicken manure for a gentle atomic number 7 boost . worthy for any grass type .
3. Down To Earth Organic Lawn Topdress
This OMRI - listed constitutional compost contains no biosolids or manure . A diverse mix of feedstock insure active biology and a range of nutrient .
4. Dr. Earth Lawn Topper
Dr. Earth Lawn Topper is n’t pure compost but a compost - based plant food . It provides a quick green - up along with organic food to strengthen grass plants and roots .
5. Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables
While not an ideal lawn compost due to high salts , Miracle - Gro blends make decent budget - favorable options if used in moderation . Let rain leach salts .
6. Coast of Maine Bar Harbor Lobster Compost
For a alone shipboard soldier - sourced compost , Coast of Maine Bar Harbor is full of crab , lobster , and fish byproduct . Provides a dim - departure boost of nutrients tailor-make for coastal Lucy in the sky with diamonds grime .
Buying Bagged Compost in Bulk
Depending on your lawn size , buying compost by the palette can deliver money . You may be able to particular decree timber brands like Black Kow or Espoma in bulk through nurseries , garden centers , or landscape painting textile caller .
Another pick is mass - packaged compost from producers local to your arena . Check with farms , municipal composting programs , land clearing companies , stables , or food waste matter recycling surgery . find oneself options through the US Composting Council’sFind a Compostertool .
Should I Use Compost or Topsoil for Topdressing ?
Look for compost , not surface soil . Quality topsoil can be used but may contain fewer nutrients and less organic matter than compost . Avoid “ garden soil ” blend that just mix compost and surface soil . Get 100 % organic compost for the full benefits .
Be sure to scatter compost equally using a drop cloth spreader . Then water it in well to ensconce the compost and wash food down into the dirt . Your lawn will draw the rewards of improved soil wellness and fertility .
Complications of Topdressing
But there is a problem : Compost quality varies . So , how do you know if the compost you buy by the yard , pick up at the urban center ’s folio dump , or buy by the bag is “ good ” ? demand yourself these motion :
The parent stuff and the composting process both impact the quality of the final product .
“ There is only one way of life to know what compost bear , ” says Al Rattie , theatre director of market development atUS Composting Council(USCC ) in Bethesda , MD . “ That is to use compost that has undergo compost - specific testing . ”
Recognizing the trouble this creates for consumer and the demesne care industry likewise , the USCC start theSeal of Testing Assurance(STA ) in 2000 . STA is a testing , labeling , and disclosure program designed to bring profile into the world of compost sales .
According to Rattie , STA is the only nationally make out mental testing .
STA looks at 14compost characteristicsincluding organic issue , salts , pH , major nutrients , pathogen , metals , stableness , and maturity .
Rattie says one of the big concern is the mien of pesticide residuals . Well - made compost , however , carries minuscule of this danger .
“ A proper compost system destroys the overwhelming majority of pesticides and herbicides , ” aver Rattie .
Unfortunately , consumers are not likely to find STA compost in big box memory . “ Most STA members trade in bulk through direct sales , garden centers , and landscape painting supplying 1000 in their field , ” aver Rattie .
USCC offers several resource to find oneself STA compost and a reckoner to help determine the amount :
Rattie powerfully encourages anyone who is topdress a lawn to use bulk compost .
“ Bagged compost supplies only one three-dimensional foot of textile , ” he says . “ It have 27 suitcase to get one three-dimensional yard . Do the mathematics ! ” .
When we used the compost calculator offered by the USCC at BuyCompost . com , we bump that a one - quarter column inch layer on a fourth part - Accho lawn ( 10,000 square feet ) requires 7 . 7 three-dimensional yards or 5 . 9 cubic meters of compost .
Rattie also encourages core group aeration after the compost has been applied .
“ golf game course and ball field superintendent having been using this technique successfully for many year , ” he says .
Comparing Store Bought Bagged Soils to Find The Best One for Your Needs
FAQ
What kind of compost do you use for top dressing ?
What is the well pocket grunge for top dressing lawn ?
Can I top dress with compost ?
Should I Topdress my lawn with compost ?
Turf experts often recommend “ topdressing ” lawns with a tenuous layer of compost . The material is spread one - one-quarter to one - half inch wooden-headed in spring or downslope , depending on local climate and soil . * Compost improves the moisture - holding capacitance of the filth , add up nutrients , and feed dirt germ .
What size of it compost should I utilise for top - medical dressing ?
Compost particles should be no more than 3/8 ” in size of it . The good compost for top - dressing is screened compost , as the mote are small enough to well fall through the grass steel . Also , guarantee that your compost does n’t include industrial plant seed , as this may lead to a weed problem on your lawn down the line .
How many bags of compost do you need to topdress a lawn ?
call in BuyCompost.com and use the USCC ’s compost calculator on the upper right of the homepage . Rattie strongly encourages anyone who is topdressing a lawn to use bulk compost . “ bag compost render only one three-dimensional foot of material , ” he say . “ It takes 27 bags to get one three-dimensional pace . Do the mathematics ! ”
Is compost honorable for your lawn ?
Lastly , compost contains a level-headed amount of carbon for your lawn ’s soil . Carbon , although for the most part devalue , plays a huge role in the overall wellness of your filth : Carbon feed in good microbes , which affect soil construction , protect lawns from stress and breaks down nutrient in the dirt ,
