Please note: For your convenience, this calculation has been rounded up slightly.

Important reminder: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculation. But before purchasing materials for any project, please check amounts with your suppliers or contractors.

Helpful Information

Top dressing is organic matter spread over the top of soil, then worked 2 inches or so into the soil with a rake. If soil is lacking in organic matter, grass will have a hard time growing.

A few tips: To top dress soil for a lawn, use compost or manure, available at gardening centers. Avoid wood chips, straw, and other materials that rob the soil of nitrogen. After removing all debris and tilling the soil, spread the organic matter on top and use a rake to mix it in to a depth of about 2 inches. The higher the percentage of organic matter, the looser the soil will be, allowing roots to grow easily.

For most lawns, a good goal is to produce soil for the top 2 inches that is 15 to 25 percent organic matter.