You can add a few layers of store-bought compost when planting in the spring, but she suggests adding homemade compost in autumn because it takes longer to degrade. One of the best nutrient sources for the grass in your lawn is the grass itself. Water your grass the day before you topdress your lawn. (9AM CST/7AM PST), FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022 AT 10:00AM EST The liquid compost will seep into the soil and provide all the benefits of regular compost. Mow high and water deeply but infrequently. 2022 Joe Gardener. joegardener Online Gardening Academy Perfect Soil Recipe Master Class, joegardener Online Gardening Academy Growing Epic Tomatoes, Organic Lawn Renovation for Spring: 5-Steps To Your Best Lawn Ever, How to Create a Drought Tolerant Landscape: Pro Tips Pt. Topsoil or Compost For Grass Seed: Whats Best? To create the border, remove the lawn grass and add topsoil and organic compost. Amy Pennington likes using compost in newly planted vegetable gardens. Are you considering top-dressing vegetable gardens with compost? If you have a neighbor whos also looking for an efficient way to spread compost, you could always share the cost with them to make it more economical. Let us know in the comments below. One such method is called topdressing. Its a tried and true method that has been used for generations, and its sure to give you the lovely yard youve always dreamed of. Mow the lawn as short as possible before to give the top dressing the best chance of connecting with the soil. I'm not expecting a beautiful green swath, but would like to cut down on weeds and give the grass a better environment to thrive. Break your yard into tenths and only do 2000 sq ft per month. Here's some ideas for plants that grow in Zone 6 in full sun. ft. - and pay $1144 (not including the 20 yards) for that convenience! Topdressing a lawn with compost adds organic matter to the soil, which provides for proper drainage and better tilth. In the fall before frost hits and in the spring after your first mow are the best times to perform topdressing. Glass vs. plastic containers: Which food storage option should you choose? To try to spread an unfinished product would prove useless.You could always try the Johnny Appleseed method.put the compost into a bag slung over your shoulder and throw it out by hand. Wait until it turns a deep, rich brown color and resembles dirt. Plus, the clippings help the lawn retain moisture while shading out weed seeds, which keeps those seeds from germinating. The lawn also should be well-tilled. Down here we can get compost sprayed on the lawn. Pictured is their smallest model, but they also have tow-behind or self-propelled options, which are better if you have a large area to cover. When hes not working in his large, raised bed vegetable garden, hes likely planting or digging something up, or spending time with his family on their organic farm just north of Atlanta, GA. Sign up for my blog updates and never miss a post. Home Design's New Address21 Oak presents the best content from around the world of home design, delivered with style, wit and a friendly touch. If the compost doesnt pass these tests, dont buy it. You should be left with a layer that is about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. If the drum is too full, it becomes much harder to roll. Does it have that earthy smell? The Newer spreader holds 8 cubic feet, so he would have to fill it 67.5 times, to spread 1/4 to 1/3 inch of compost over 20000 sq. Overgrown shrubs in front of your home say stay away, I don't like people. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The old school shovel and rake method might be labor-intensive, but if you have a small yard, its cheap and effective. The idea is to space the piles so that once the compost is spread out, the lawn has full coverage, with no gaps. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us, and compensation is not an influencing factor on their inclusion here. We use one for our one-horse farm and it works great spreading the manure over our lawn. A slow-release, organic fertilizer like Milorganite will feed the lawn continuously for many weeks, with none of the nutrient-burn concerns that come with synthetic fertilizers. Instead of trying to use a lawn spreader to spread your compost, you could invest in a dedicated compost spreader. By following proper lawn management like topdressing with compost and applying organic fertilizer, my lawn areas remain healthy and green all year. These companies are either Brand Partners of joegardener.comand/or advertise on our website. (I do mulch mow the lawn clippings and some leaves into the lawn as a matter of course.) Can you put compost in a regular yard spreader? There are many benefits in using compost. We live in the country on 4 acres, and have approximately 20,000 square feet of poor-quality lawn with thin grass and too many weeds. Sprinkle the grass seed evenly on top with a spreader, covering the lawn once one way and then make a second pass going the other way. The piles should be no larger than three or four shovelfuls each. While compost wont. I make and use a lot of compost. Thats a good thing! The pros and cons of ductless heating and cooling systems you need to know about, Helps lock in soils moisture on hot days, Promotes microbial activity to reduce thatch, Chemical-free treatment thats safe for people and pets. What are the benefits of adding compost to lawns? Its important not to apply a heavy amount of water over a short period of time because that should cause the compost to run off instead of staying where the lawn needs it. You can also include things like dead twigs and leaves along with some water for extra moisture. Ready to have more of your lawn and garden questions answered? Golf courses first adapted topdressing to keep turf thick and lush. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with that. I think I'll call around and see if anyone does the compost spraying dchall mentions, or I'll just stick with spreading soybean meal as bill suggests. Compost wheels are big wire cages that you put the compost in, and as you roll it around the lawn, the compost falls out and onto the grass. Then again, I wasn't too concerned at covering every square inch evenly; I figured the manure would breakdown and spread it's nutrients. Maybe aspens here and there? Ready to have more of your lawn and garden questions answered? Top-dressing a lawn with compost can be achieved in a few ways. So you have 1/2 acre to scatter the compost on. Turning the compost from time to time also hastens the process, and you can do this with a shovel. Enter your name and email and get The Complete Guide to Home Compostingit's FREE! Its a good thing there are organic methods like topdressing that encourage your lawns growth and development without the use of harsh or harmful chemicals. Provide your info for a link to the resource download and be opted into my email list. At the time of this writing, Joe Lampl has professional relationships with the following companies who may have products included in this post and podcast: Rain Bird, Corona Tools, Milorganite, Soil3, Exmark, Greenhouse Megastore, Territorial Seed Company, and TerraThrive. Disclosure: Some product links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we get a commission if you purchase. Adding grass seed to your lawn can be time-consuming and expensive, so youll certainly want to do it properly. If youre one of them, wed like to hear about it, Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Since compost nurtures the soil and provides excellent germinating conditions, this is a good opportunity for seeds to sprout. Purchase compost from a reliable source that has subjected it to the high-temperature sterilizing technique that gets rid of disease and weed seeds. Both are more expensive than wheelbarrows, but the amount of time saved may be well worth it depending on your budget. However, we receive no additional compensation from the sales or promotion of their product through this guide. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. While we havent tried this method ourselves, weve seen it recommended multiple times.Compost blowers are fast and low impact. A layer of topdressing will provide the soil below with valuable nutrients to keep your lawn looking lush, green, and weed-free. Depending on your lawns size, a wheel barrow and a shovel may be the best way to distribute compost around your yard, followed by a good raking (a push broom will also work) to distribute it more evenly. Read on to find out the best way to spread compost on a lawn. When leaves drop on the lawn in autumn, even an average mulching mower can chop them up to a size at which they will decompose quickly, feeding the lawn as they do. Spread the compost a few weeks before extreme heat or frost sets in to give the compost a chance to mix well into the soil. You can either purchase an aerator, or you may be able to rent one from your local home and garden depot. The secret weapon of any organic gardener who wants a beautiful and lush yard, topdressing is the practice of spreading compost onto the top of your grass. The inclusion of any products mentioned within this post is entirely independent and exclusive of any relationship. As lawn-spraying services expand their grip on suburbia its important to remember that using organic practices to encourage grass in your yard protects your pets and family from harmful chemical fertilizers and herbicides. It will greatly increase beneficial microbial activity in your soil, benefiting your lawn even more. Multiply the length and width of the seeding area and then multiply that total by a third this is how much compost you will need. I'd like to keep up with the compost improvements, but we can't go through that much agony again. Compost tea, or worm tea if its made withworm castings, turns your compost into a liquid form thats easy to apply and multiplies its nutritional value. None of these machines are cheap, especially if youre using them for residential applications, but theyre built to last and can make your life a lot easier. Compost for lawns can be made from grass clippings, fruit and vegetable waste or even coffee grounds. The arrival of summer reminds us that its not too late to nourish your lawn the healthy way with organic compostfrom Planet Natural. If you do not want to wait that long, opt for bagged compost. Youll want to avoid doing so in the hotter summer months as the organic material in the compost could burn your grass, weakening or killing it completely. I'm Planting Grass Seed Using Mushroom Compost: Do I Need to Add Soil? An alternative is to make your own compost with kitchen scraps and lawn waste. How To Create A Thriving Organic Vegetable Garden Webinar, Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 3:00PM EDT (2:00PM CDT / Noon PDT). Its obvious when you think about it: Grass clippings contain the exact ratio of nutrients that grass requires. Apply again, once or twice, between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Compost should be spread no more than a half-inch deep. After applying compost, be sure to water in with a sprinkler. Spreading compost on lawns now not too deep; you dont want to smother the grass blades will help it stay lush and weed-free by nourishing the soil beneath it. By joining my list, youll also get weekly access to my gardening resource guides, eBooks, and more! The corn gluten for weed control might prove outbut then you cant overseed until the effects wear out.The gluten would kill the germination of any grass seed. Fill a wheelbarrow up with your compost and shovel it in piles around your yard. Never spread more than of an inch of topdressing at any one time. Then, dethatch and aerate if you havent done so recently. The whole thing is made of steel, so its very durable, and the handles are covered in soft plastic grips, meaning its comfortable to use. Our personal favorite is the compost tea and pump-sprayer option. Bulk compost is sold by the cubic yard, and there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. His lifetime passion and devotion to all things horticulture has led him to a long-time career as one of the countrys most recognized and trusted personalities in organic gardening and sustainability. Do you feed your lawn naturally by topdressing with compost? EcoLawnis another company that sells similar products. You might ask around your area and see if anyone is doing that. That organic matter also hosts beneficial microorganisms that turn organic fertilizer and minerals in the soil into plant-available nutrients that can be taken up by roots. Sign up to receive gardening resources, eBooks, and email updates on the joegardener podcast and more. Another great time to topdress with compost is when overseeding a lawn. The selection of all items featured in this post and podcast were based solely on merit and in no way influenced by any affiliate or financial incentive, or contractual relationship. Also, compost tends to be quite wet and clumpy and will quickly clog the spreader.Pelletized compost can be spread using a lawn spreader. Youll also save yourself a lot of work on raking! Improper topdressing can hinder the growth of your lawn and even kill patches of your existing grass. It is often mixed into soil and used as garden mulch, but can compost be used on lawns? If you can find pelletized compost, then this would be suitable to use in a drop spreader. It requires the least amount of manual work and uses the least compost, so we have plenty left to use in other parts of the yard. So if you cant use a drop spreader, what can you use? A healthier lawn comes with healthier soil, and there is no better way to improve soil health than by adding compost. You could add a 'marker' next to the manhole cover so you know where it is. You can adjust the speed at which the material is spread out, giving you good control over how thick the layer is. Three small square windows above the porch would help too..you just have a mass of siding and your windows look out of balance. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. (7PM CST/5PM PST). Shrubs in front of a house should never be allowed to reach maturity, they should either be pruned yearly to stay under the windows or height of the porch or plants should be chosen that have a mature height that will never exceed these parameters. 5 of 5, Five Common Garden Mistakes That Matter Most And How To Avoid Them, How to Water and What to Use: Pro Tips Part 3 of 5. It 7 feet out from the tree I used 3 yard of triple mix, and finished it off with a dark brown cedar mulch. This is especially important if youll be using your compost to grow fruits or vegetables or if you have pets or young children who will be playing on your composted lawn. In southern regions, where warm-season grasses thrive, apply in the spring after the grass breaks its winter dormancy, and then again around Memorial Day. If you buy commercial compost or use municipal compost, you should be all set in that regard. Compost contains the primary nutrients nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and an array of micronutrients to naturally feed a lawn. If there are clumps, use a rake to spread the compost out some more. How much does a dump truck hold? But there are many other benefits as well. The best time to topdress your lawn depends on the type of grass you have. Any larger pieces of debris wont fit through the mesh and get left behind in the drum. The compost can also break up heavy clay soil, which helps the roots of trees, shrubs and other plants to get established. Before you top dress a lawn rake up any dead grass and debris. Well make sure you are well informed on the process. tas123 would need 20 cubic yards of compost for his area, or 540 cubic feet. Cedar grove, which operates in the Seattle region, is an example of such a service. These tools have openings at the bottom, but damp compost may clog them. It will also stop lawn grass from growing into the flower bed which will save you a lot of time with garden maintenance. You can topdress with compost at any time when the ground is not frozen, but if you topdress right after aerating a lawn, you will see even better results. Edge the bed with lawn edging like this one! joegardener Online Gardening Academy Perfect Soil Recipe Master Class: Learn how to create the perfect soil environment for thriving plants. I'm trying to stick with organic methods to improve the soil, like alfalfa meal for fertilizer and corn gluten meal for weed control. Also would help if you could put in a window on either side of the door to fill in the blank wall. (2PM CST/12PM PST), WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022 AT 8:00PM EST Neighbors think we're weird, but it gets rid of the poop. Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn? Rake until the point that the grass blades are almost fully visible through the compost. The lawn will be denser, which withstands foot traffic and stops weeds from taking hold. What a great idea. That is most evident in his role as host and creator of Emmy Award-winning Growing a Greener World, a national green-living lifestyle series on PBS currently broadcasting in its tenth season. So were agreed you want to spread the compost but how? Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. If youre wondering about using topsoil or compost for grass seed, you can add compost to the soil first to promote growth. Good compostone that is finished, might go through a wide open setting on a household fertilizer spreader. ft. One cubic yard (27 cubic feet) spreads out over 1000 sq. Note that these methods may be a bit tougher on your pocketbook, but you may find that the cost is worth it. Does anyone know what this marshmallow-like thing is on my lawn? joegardener Online Gardening Academy Growing Epic Tomatoes: Tomato expertCraig LeHoullier joins me in leading this course on how to grow healthier, productive tomato plants and how to overcome tomato-growing challenges. Proper cultural practices are most important for a nice lawn. For warm-season grasses, you should topdress in the spring, and for cool-season grasses, topdress in the fall. Theres no need to pre-screen the compost when you use aLandzie compost spreaderbecause it breaks up any clumps as the compost tumbles around in the cage. Adding compost will help your lawns soil retain moisture during the long hot months of summer, keeping your grass greener longer. It also helps the ground sustain beneficial microorganisms, like helpful bacteria and fungi. When you squeeze the compost in your hand, does it clump together well but also break apart easily? Recycling grass clippings is actually less labor-intensive than the alternative. The high temperature ensures that weed seeds and pathogens that were in the compost inputs have been neutralized. Water in the compost with a sprinkler. They add so much. But no matter the bag size, when you find you need more than 10 bags of compost for a project, it generally makes more sense to buy bulk compost. Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that arent even as good. In addition to the organic materials, you can add bread, young weeds, newspaper and even cooked pasta to your compost pile. Compost spreader or rolling peat moss spreader. joegardener Online Gardening Academy: Popular courses on gardening fundamentals; managing pests, diseases & weeds; seed starting and more. I do it by the shovelfulbut then its a work of love as a spring ritual and I see the benefit of a beautiful lawn. At each pile, rake the compost out in all directions, 360. This protects the plant stems, and it also helps to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. There is little you could do better for your lawn than switching to organic fertilizers. Put the compost in a wheelbarrow and find a shovel. Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. If you and your family love being in your backyard during the summer, you deserve to have a lawn that you can enjoy. After three weekends of flinging heavy shovelfuls and raking my husband declared mutiny and swore vehemently we would never do that again. Increase the organic material in your lawns soil by mulch mowing all your Autumn leaves into your grass. You have just run up against the major disadvantage. A gentle application of water will help the compost work its way down to the soil and will expose grass blades that are covered, so they wont be smothered. Friday, April 1, 2022 at 12:00PM EDT (11:00AM CDT / 9:00AM PDT), How to Create a Thriving Organic Vegetable Garden, Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 10:00AM EDT (9:00AM CDT / 7:00AM PDT), Sunday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00PM EDT (7:00PM CDT / 5:00PM PDT), Wednesday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM EST (2:00 PM CST/ 12:00 PM PST), Thursday, February 24th at 3:00 PM EST (2:00 PM CST/12:00 PST), Friday, February 25th at 10:00 AM EST(9:00 AM CST/7:00AM PST), Saturday, May 15.
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