According to LSU Ag Center, the term “topdressing” is used to describe material used as well as the process of adding a thin layer of material to the surface of a sod or seedbed. This topdressing material can be sand, soil, compost, synthetic material, or a blend of these. Some benefits of topdressing your lawn include: reducing thatch, smoothing/leveling surface, filling gaps, conserving moisture, and helping reduce/prevent disease.
Normally, you will topdress your lawn during warm months when growth is aggressive and thatch reduction is most needed. You can manually topdress with a shovel and some hard work, but there are also motorized topdressing spreaders that make the process much quicker and easier. Motorized spreaders have of a hopper that holds the material and a motorized belt to move the material through the hopper to a spinning disc that spreads it on the lawn. Motorized spreaders can also ensure an even and consistent spread of material.
You don’t want to topdress your lawn if it’s under stress. Be sure to wait until it recovers before attempting. Overall, topdressing your lawn as part of maintenance can mean great benefits for your lawn. Let us know if you have any questions!