When to Add Dirt to a Lawn?

Timing

• The recommended time to apply any type of topdressing or dirt to the lawn is just before or at the start of active growth in lawns, recommends Rita Buchanan in "Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping." This is in early fall for cool season grasses and early to mid-spring for the warm season grasses.

Amount

• Topdressing with dirt or any other material only requires application of a thin 1/4- to 1/2-inch-deep layer of material on the lawn. This is enough to rejuvenate the existing soil quality without smothering grass. A single cubic yard of dirt is usually about a pickup load truck. This is sufficient to cover 650 square feet of lawn with a 1/2-inch layer. Required amount of compost is similar for adding a 1/2-inch layer on the lawn.

Selecting Dirt

• When choosing the dirt for topdressing, make sure it is similar in nature to the existing soil in order to prevent problems with layering. Inspect the dirt for large-sized rocks, other debris or roots of possible weeds. Do not obtain dirt from farmlands as it is likely to contain agricultural chemicals. Avoid using unmixed black dirt or muck soil as it contains a high level of decomposed material that impedes water penetration in lawn and can kill the grass.

Topdressing Advantages

• Topdressing improves lawn health by providing nutrients to the soil. As grass health improves, chances decrease for diseases and pest infestations. Combined with core-aeration, the addition of a new layer of dirt relieves layering and soil compaction. The choice of good quality dirt for topdressing reduces the overall requirement of fertilizer in lawns. Regularly top-dressed lawns are also less likely to have problems with thatch buildup.