Will Adding Sand on Top of a Lawn Hurt It?
- Top-dressing helps the lawn in a number of ways. Adding materials such as sand to a core aerated lawn improves the soil structure of compacted and heavy soils. Sand improves the water drainage capacity in poorly drained soil and reduces thatch buildup. Lack of sand in the upper surface of the soil in a lawn leads to the buildup of organic material that encourages pest infestation and shallow rooting.
- Many types of sand textures are available on the market, but not all are suitable as a top-dressing. When making a selection, the general rule is to avoid using sand that is of a finer texture than the existing lawn soil. Very fine-textured sand is not recommended as it is prone to layering and compaction. The coarse textured sand such as construction grade sand that has large grains is more suited for top-dressing. Do not use coarse grit and sea sand as it has excessive levels of lime.
- The recommended time for top-dressing is during the middle of September in fall, suggests D.G. Hessayon in the "The Lawn Expert." Preparing the lawn prior to top-dressing with any material such as sand provides best results. Dethatch the lawn if there is more than 1/2 inch of thatch. Remove all debris resulting from dethatching. Mow the grass very low and core aerate the lawn if the soil is compacted.
- Recommended rate of applying a top-dressing is about a pound of material for every square foot of lawn. Place small heaps of sand at intervals and use the back of a rake to spread evenly over the grass. Make sure the sand is worked all the way to the grass roots and that the grass blades are not smothered or covered in any section. Top-dressing depth should be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch unless holes need filling in.
