Tag

overseeding

Thin layer of dark compost raked into a green lawn, with grass blades poking through and a wheelbarrow at the edge

Topdressing and Leveling a Lawn

Topdressing means spreading a thin layer of compost, topsoil or sand, no more than 1/2 inch at a time, over a growing lawn to improve the soil or fill shallow low spots. Match the material to your soil and keep the grass blades showing.

October 10, 2026

Grass seed and soil plugs on a thin lawn, with a broadcast spreader in the background

Lawn Care

Overseeding a Lawn: When and How to Do It

Overseed cool-season lawns in late summer to early fall (mid-August to late September in much of the North) at about half the new-lawn seed rate, after aerating or slit seeding, and keep the top inch of soil moist until the grass is up.

August 28, 2026