Nov 04, 2021
Topdressing: The Pre-Winter Secret For Greener Grass
Freezing temperatures have yet to get the best of greenskeepers at top-rated Southeast Michigan golf clubs like The Orchards Golf Club or The Majestic at Lake Walden. So how do they do it? Top dressing plays a vital role in their treatment plan, especially leading into winter.
According to the USGA, a mix of coarse sand and overseeding help keep thatch (think falling leaves and grass clippings) from accumulating. Thatch prevents water movement, oxygen diffusion, and root development. Even though your lawn isn’t a championship green, applying a top dressing can help your grass survive the heavy snow.
Top Dressing Is Key To Your Yard’s Winter Health
Before that, though, you want to add a top dressing. Topdress contains microorganisms. These help to break down thatch and feed soil throughout winter. When spread correctly before the first freeze it:
- Works with pre-winter fertilizers to strengthen soil and roots
- Prevents and controls winter thatch
- Increases germination when overseeding
Organic Vs. Synthetic Top Dressing For Lawns
Visionary Fertilization uses locally-sourced organic compost in the topdress treatment. Our experts combine sand, peat, biochar, topsoil, or leaf compost and blend it with local poultry/dairy compost from a Southeast Michigan farm. This gives your lawn a top dressing that’s rich in beneficial bacteria, microbes, and nitrogen (the secret to vibrant green grass). Most importantly, we customize the application based on the current soil profile of your lawn, giving your yard the best chance to thrive once the ice melts.
Apply Pre-Winter Top Dressing In Early November
In November, greenskeepers at The Majestic at Lake Walden raise the height of cut to protect the crown of the plant from ice damage. Superintendent Justin Peckens also makes sure his team applies a straight sand top dressing to help dilute thatch and products to prevent snow mold.
Top dressing, when combined with pre-winter fertilization and overseeding, can help keep your grass as vibrant as the greens at golf courses like The Majestic. Also, if you notice any lower spots in your yard, topdress the areas to help even them out.
Customize Your Topdress Treatment
Adding an organic, ph-balanced top dressing to your lawn will help strengthen the soil and grass, giving you greener grass in the spring. Visionary Fertilization is a veteran-owned and operated landscaping company that specializes in South Michigan lawn care. Contact our experts or call 586-281-9205 today to create a custom topdress treatment for your yard before the first snowfall.
