How to Topdress Your Lawn with Compost
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Topdressing your lawn with compost builds a deeper root system and increases water-holding capacity and nutrient retention. Apply 1/4 to 1/2" good quality compost to the lawn.
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Crikey, look at this lawn, shes a beaut
Struuuth mate!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And no crocodiles around either.
1:56 easy there, lawns are fun but don't get too excited
I agree with him...You put that compost on your lawn and your grass will look phenomenal!...
This guy is a Pro. He really knows his stuff.
I prefer to buy a topdressing mc from my local soil provider. They provide multiple types of soil mixtures for every person needs. The typical top dressing mix I purchase is a combination of Highly screened Topsoil, Compost, and humus. I always top dress in the spring after I've cut my winter growth off. Aerate, rake, topdress, and water (keep moist) for about 1 week. Great video btw..tons of benefits to compost. The only mulch I ever use is a food friendly compost: looks cleaner and provides so much more benefit than standard mulching.
I had quite a bit of lawn damage from years of neglect followed by attacks from Cicada Killer Wasps. They dug holes all over my lawn and left bunches of additional bare spots. I figured my back yard had 1200 square feet of 50% coverage. Got 3 scoops of 50/50 mix of compost/topsoil. I did pretty much what this guy did and heavily seeded. Then followed by 4 half hour waterings a day for a month. Added a bit of starter fertilizer after a week or two. Lawn looks great. Now I have to do a 6 foot wide path from back of house to street, Maybe 600-1000 sq feet more. Not looking forward to it. Think I'm using my tow behind wagon and my lawn tractor. It's on the opposite side of the house from where the load will be dumped.
With your seeding did you seed the ground and then add your mix or did you seed the mix and then rake in? Thanks
Thanks - I'm going to give it a try this year - It seems like you've got to have very fine dry compost to get it to go through a lawn spreader.
I'd say either toss it with a shovel or by hand then gently rake it around.
@Tom Krauska - Not if you mix in a lot of dog shiit. Dog shiit helps that compost slide right down that spreader like a greased butt hole. Nothing is better for your grass than dog shiit. Makes the yard smell fresh like an early spring day. It also adds flavor to a nice fresh garden salad.
TheJaKool
I don't have a dog, guess I'll have to do it myself.
This guy could be straight from the 70s..I think he was going surfing after.
I live in Texas and was told by the landscaper he uses compost from cows and horses so it does smell, do you recommend this to help a very dry brown lawn? What about area that is shaded as lawn is bare there will compost and seeding help? Do you need to Airate before?
🐊 Crikey mate. Crocodile 🐊 Hunter thought je died lol
I have very compacted clay in my yard, so hard that I can't even water slowly and gently for 2 minutes without the water just running off. When it rains, all the water just puddles up and runs off. I may as well be watering my sidewalk! A little might seep in if we get a good soaker for a few days, but it just turns into a mud pit on top and still hard underneath. We can't even get a tiller to break it up. The yard is also sloped a little bit... not a true hill, but definitely a noticeable slope. I've got several working compost piles and bins. It's good living compost, complete with worms and soil critters. I've tried incorporating it like you show here, but as soon as it rains, all the compost washes away and ends up in a pile in my front yard! I have built up garden beds what are actually in great shape, nicely amended soil, so I do know how to fix bad soil... but I can't very well box in my yard! I know that if I can just get the soil loosened up a bit, I can put grass back in and the root systems will reduce erosion. The grass would also trap some of the compost and help it to stay there long enough to do the job. But with nothing there to hold seed and compost in place, it all washes away with the first significant rain and lands in my front yard! How can I fix this awful cracked clay soil and get some grass to grow again?
You can spread epson salt in your soil, that would help
Hi Megan, Checkout the four-part series of our Milorganite agronomist adventure-and unexpected challenges-in starting a new (cool-season) lawn from seed. She shares tips to help improve your soil and options on choosing to seed or sod your lawn. With what you have shared, sod might be your best option depending on how large of an area you have, and your budget. Learn more here: ua-cam.com/video/xac5LSEQ9vY/v-deo.html
Megan, from what you posted you have a very difficult soil to deal with and unfortunately I don't think there is an "easy" fix, and any fix will be slow, hard work. The only way to help your soil is to get the compost into the soil. My recommendation is to purchase yourself a 30" long 2" round garden auger. I bought mine off amazon for around $20. Get yourself an electric drill and start drilling holes in your soil and back filling them with your compost. Over time that compost, with the microbes and other nutrients, will start to change your soil structure. As I said this will be slow, hard work, but with what you've stated in your comment, I think this could be your best option.
@@mrficxit1785 As soon as we get a few inches down we hit limestone. There is an almost solid bed of it all throughout the yard. When our maintenance guys tried to install some fence posts a while back they actually broke the jackhammer trying to get through it. When they tried to plant some trees out front, they had to use a jackhammer to make the planting holes. The trees died within 3 years because the roots could not work in and they got compressed. The trees are ones that grow like crazy in this part of the country. Yet these trees couldn't establish. This is how bad the soil is.
@@meganmcgowan5798 So, if I'm understanding correctly you have a few inches of almost solid clay on top of who knows how thick limestone? Wow. That's rough.
But I still stand by my solution. It sounds like you are mainly trying to grow grass right? Hopefully you have at least 6" of clay throughout most of your yard? If so, that is enough to start amending your soil with your compost by introducing the compost below the top of the ground. If not, then I am at a loss except to bring in a skid-loader to scrape off the clay on top of the limestone and replace with good top soil. But that would be pretty expensive if you have much of a yard. So sorry you have that kind of problem. But you probably won't have to worry about foundation problems right? :-) Good luck!
The crocodile hunter gardener
DCARCADE 😂😂😂
hahahaha
lol
when we order compost it doesnt look like this.. ever.. that was screened very nicely.
How does this compare to just mason sand?
Live on Long Island...is it better to do this in the spring or fall? Thanks!
Danielle, I live in Albany..you can do it either time if you want...He is saying to do it in Spring but I also did it last fall along with seeding bare spots in my lawn...I had the greenest lawn in the neighborhood!..really does work!
When overseeing like this, how does it need more water than normal?
A lawn needs about 1" of water per week. Keep the newly seeded area moist until the seeds emerge. The seedlings need frequent gentle watering until ½ to 1 inch tall. When conditions allow, reduce watering several times a week at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Decrease the frequency and increase the depth of watering as seedlings mature.
is compost and top soil the same thing. and if not can i combine the two?
Hi Nunya - Compost is not topsoil. It can be used to make topsoil or improve topsoil. If topsoil is poor or to help improve your soil add 2-3 inches of a quality compost. For more tips on improving your soil: www.milorganite.com/lawn-care/organic-lawn-care/improving-soil
Unless you take a ton of time to make absolutely sure your compost is evenly spread across the entire lawn, the raking method isn’t optimal. Using the spreader ensures an even coat.
Would take a very very long time to put down 1/4 of compost across your lawn with a spreader. Its also much faster to use a lawn leveler or lawn rake after you feather it out with a large garden rake. Talking several yards of material, or even more. Not a couple easily spread 50lb bags of grainular fert
After you put the compost on the lawn do you need to water it??
Hi, Chelsea - No need to water the compost in after topdressing your lawn. Gently rake 1/4" to 1/2" of good quality, finely textured compost over your lawn to build deeper roots, as well as increases the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients.
If you are broadcasting compost, can you mix the seeds with the compost to save a step?
Hi, David, Typically, compost will not spread well in a spreader and requires raking into your lawn. Mixing grass seed with Milorganite is an effective way to spread seed accurately. Mix 4 parts Milorganite with 1 part seed by weight. www.milorganite.com/lawn-care/grasses-seed-sod/seed-and-sod-application-rates
What’s better compost or peat moss for top dressing on lawn
Hi, Angel, We recommend making your own compost or purchasing certified compost since it is the more sustainable option. To add nutrients, water and moisture retention to your soil, peat is not a great product. There are other products that are less impactful on the environment, unlike peat, which comes from some of the world’s most unique, biodiverse, carbon-sucking ecosystems. Learn more about sustainability concerns with peat moss. joegardener.com/podcast/examing-the-challenges-of-its-use-in-the-face-of-climate-change/
Say , do I place down new grass seeds before or after the compost 🤔
Hi, Montell, If you're overseeding your lawn apply the grass seed and then topdress with compost. The compost will help keep the seed in place. Here are steps: www.milorganite.com/blog/Lawn/how-naturally-feed-your-lawn-topdressing-compost
@@MilorganiteFertilizer ok , thank you for your reply and information 👍
It is supposed to be expensive to do whole lawn right? Like lots of compost. I use chicken manure compost
Hi Tyler, Milorganite recommends topdressing your lawn with 1/4" to 1/2" good quality, finely textured compost. Certified compost from local garden center can get expensive. Another option is to make your own compost to help reduce the cost and added environmental benefits. Here's a few tips to start composting at home, adding Milorganite can also help speed up the process: www.milorganite.com/blog/garden-landscape/composting-landscape
I live in the Dallas area with clay soil. I plan to use cotton burr compost and was wondering if there is a better time of the year to add compost for example is it better when the grass is growing or wait until later in the year.
Hello George, adding compost is great any time the temperatures are regularly over 80 degrees F. You want the soil microbes to be awake and hungry and during cold temps they are not very active. Just remember to put it down lightly, less than 1/2" at at time, or lower if you mow your lawn very low. You just want to make sure not to suffocate your grass. Your lawn will thank you for it.
@@mrficxit1785 thanks so much
@@geoseward You are welcome sir. Are you like another person I was trying to help...she lives in the Dallas area also and has solid clay on top of solid limestone. Do you have a similar issue? If so, that is very rough going.
Another note for you who have just solid clay, getting compost into your clay "soil" by just spreading it on top will take a VERY long time. It will certainly help, but I think the best way is to get any compost into the soil, not just on top of it. Now, what I'm talking about is hard work, and it will still take a long time, but will be much quicker than just laying it on top of solid clay. That's because there aren't many microbes in the clay soil that can work with the organic compost you are putting down. Here is a link to another video that I think might help explain it...ua-cam.com/video/lfFsXdyu4Co/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/XjT-HF4mmU4/v-deo.html. Good luck!
I what the setting on the spreader and how many times I have to pass on the same spot? It seems that it’s not putting enough compost like the racking way
Hi Mauricio, We recommend applying compost to the lawn with a rake, not a spreader. Dump piles of compost throughout your lawn and then gently rake 1/4" to 1/2" of good quality, finely textured compost into the lawn.
Hi, if a lawn was reseeded along with horse manure(almost fresh. not compost), what weed killer to use prevent growth of weeds?
Hello, We caution raw manures can contain high levels of nitrogen, ammonium, and salts, which can harm and burn plants. The best way to avoid all these problems from raw manures is to hot compost the manure before using it on the lawn. Fresh manure often is filled weed seeds can lead to a lawn of unwanted weeds. If you apply herbicide now, it will kill your new seedlings, therefore it is best to wait until spring and assess the weeds in your new lawn and weed control options. For weed control tips: www.milorganite.com/blog/Lawn/how-do-i-kill-weeds-my-lawn
This would be Dave Chappelle s Whitest guy ever
Can I top dress my lawn with mix of cow manure and compost?
Hi LInda, Be sure the manure is thoroughly composted or it can burn your lawn. But once it has mellowed, it is harmless (except for the weed seeds) and very high in nitrogen and soil building properties.
Another option for a natural fertilizer if you don’t have access to the volume necessary to effectively cover their lawn surface with compost is Milorganite slow-release fertiizer. www.milorganite.com/using-milorganite/why-use-milorganite
How about leaf compost for the top dressing the lawn?
Leaf compost is an excellent option to top dress your lawn.
If my compost is wet can I still apply it to my grass
It is recommended to apply Compost when it is dark brown, crumbly and smells like earth. If your Compost got wet, it may be difficult to properly apply.
Now will this compost wash away?
For best results, plan to apply when heavy rain is not in the forecast which could wash away some of the compost if just applied.
I just put compost down (1/4”) on my yard and it’s browning. Is this recoverable/something wrong?
Hi Andrew, Have you gotten any rain in the last few weeks? Your lawn may be going into summer dormancy due to lack of water. www.milorganite.com/lawn-care/grasses-seed-sod/dormancy
We recommend ensuring you are buying certified compost that has been properly processed to avoid any chance of burning your lawn.
@@MilorganiteFertilizer Thanks for the reply. I have an irrigation system that regularly waters the lawn early mornings. The compost is leafgro and the grass is starting to return, however, I may have buried too much of the grass in some areas.
10 yrs later
Can I do this to new sod (like 4-6 weeks old) to fertilize it? I'd rather not apply Miracle-Gro or whatever.
Hi, Cheryl, Ideally, you should have added compost and Milorganite to the soil before sodding to help establish and feed the roots. Milorganite'ss salt-free formula will never burn tender new grassroots and the iron generates a deep lasting green. You can also apply Milorganite after you have laid the sod. For more info on application rates: www.milorganite.com/lawn-care/grasses-seed-sod/seed-and-sod-application-rates
@@MilorganiteFertilizer No idea, a "professional" installed the sod and all he said was "topsoil" and he didn't come back after the install, so I am reading about how to get the sod fertilized and growing well into the next few months. It SEEMS like sprinkling compost over the lawn is the best way to fertilize it but all the compost here is wet and chunky
it would take a crew of 5 guys all day to do my lawn...lol
Wearing sandals while spreading dirty compost. LMAO SMH
Is that you Steve Irwin???
Smells like stench?
I think he meant if it has a stench to it.
00:57 A million and one uses but I'm only to tell you 4.
aguyandhiscomputer lets be glad it wasnt a million.. Wonder how long that video would be
7 yrs later lol
mamameaescoda
conepaceti
Compost all over his toes 😭😭😭
🤣🤣🤣
shows dead lawn
I'm afraid to ask how many kittens this guy has murdered.
Nice sandals clown