The Best Bagged Compost for Top Dressing Your Lawn

Top dressing your lawn with compost is a great way to improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and boost grass growth. But not all composts are created equal when it comes to top dressing. The best compost for top dressing lawns has the right balance of nutrients, organic matter, and texture to work its way down to the soil and roots.

As a landscaper and gardening enthusiast, I’ve experimented with many different bagged composts for top dressing clients’ lawns over the years. Through trial and error, I’ve found that the ideal compost for top dressing meets the following criteria:

What to Look for in Bagged Compost for Top Dressing

Fine texture

Compost used for top dressing needs to have a fine, sift-able texture that can fall between grass blades to reach the soil. Large chunks of compost will just sit on top of the grass and won’t provide any soil benefits. Look for compost that has been screened to remove sticks, rocks and debris.

Mature and stabilized

The composting process takes time Immature compost can damage grass plants, while mature, stabilized compost supports microbial activity in the soil. Well-made compost will have a dark brown or black color and earthy smell Avoid composts with unpleasant odors, which signal the presence of anaerobic bacteria.

Balanced nutrients

Quality compost contains a mixture of macronutrients plants need to thrive, like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It also provides an array of micronutrients. Having a balanced nutrient profile prevents nutrient deficiencies or toxicity.

Moderate organic matter

Too much carbon-rich organic matter can rob nitrogen from the soil in a process called nitrogen immobilization. Look for compost with an organic matter content around 50-60% to provide nutrients without depriving the grass of nitrogen.

Low salt content

While compost contains salts, excessive amounts can damage plants. Opt for compost with a salt content less than 4 dS/m (decisiemens per meter)

Few weed seeds or diseases

High temperatures during composting kill most weed seeds and plant pathogens, but compost can still pick up weed seeds during processing. Well-made compost has been screened to remove debris and weed seeds.

The Best Bagged Compost Brands for Top Dressing

With an understanding of what makes a quality top dressing compost, let’s look at some of my top picks:

1. Black Kow Bio-Natural Compost

• Very fine texture easily works down to soil level
• Made from dairy cow manure
• Contains beneficial microbes
• Low odor
• Affordable

Black Kow Bio-Natural has the right balance of texture, nutrients, and microbial life to improve any lawn. It breaks down easily without smothering grass blades. I’ve used it successfully on fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass, and zoysia lawns. The more you use it, the healthier your soil will become.

2. Espoma Organic Traditions Compost

• Contains mycorrhizae fungi
• Made from cow manure, peat moss, greensand, and cottonseed meal
• Low heavy metal content
• Consistent quality batch to batch

I recommend Espoma Organic Traditions Compost to clients looking for an all-purpose organic compost from sustainable resources. It has an ideal nutrient analysis for encouraging microbial activity and earthworms in the soil. The company also closely monitors heavy metals and contaminants.

3. Down To Earth Alfalfa Meal Compost

• Balanced nutrient profile
• Contains humic acids
• Reduces thatch buildup
• Made from alfalfa, cotton burrs, and compost

As a 100% plant-based compost, Down To Earth Alfalfa Meal Compost adds organic matter without risk of pathogens found in manure composts. It has an ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio to feed soil microbes. I’ve found it works especially well to reduce thatch in cool season northern grasses.

4. Mulch Maker Premium Compost

• Very fine, sift-able texture
• Consistent quality
• OMRI certified
• Reduces compaction
• Made from biosolids compost

For the finest texture compost, it’s hard to beat Mulch Maker Premium Compost. It almost looks like coffee grounds. The tiny particle size allows it to work down into the lawn and improve water retention and drainage. It’s a great pick if you have clay soil.

5. Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Compost

• Contains controlled release fertilizer
• Reduces runoff
• Made with Scotts peat moss
• Widely available

As a quick lawn patch and repair solution, Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Compost makes repairing bare spots easy. It contains seeds, fertilizer and a compost blend to fill in bare or thinning areas of the lawn. I recommend it for spot top dressing problem areas.

How Much Compost to Use When Top Dressing

Most lawns benefit from a half-inch layer of compost. This provides nutrients and organic matter without smothering the lawn. To determine how much compost you need:

• Measure the square footage of your lawn.
• Multiply square footage by 0.004 to calculate cubic yards needed for a 0.5 inch layer.
• Divide cubic yards by 27 to determine number of 1 cubic foot bags needed.

For example, a 5,000 square foot lawn:

• 5,000 sq ft x 0.004 = 20 cubic yards
• 20 cubic yards / 27 = ~14 bags (1 cubic foot each)

I recommend using a spreader to apply compost in an even layer across the lawn. Apply in spring or fall when grass is growing vigorously. Water thoroughly after applying to wash particles down to soil level. Over time, you’ll notice less thatch, fewer weeds, and thicker grass. Your lawn will better tolerate heat, drought, traffic, and other stresses.

Time Your Top Dressing for Peak Lawn Benefits

Timing is everything when top dressing with compost. Follow these tips:

• Northern cool season grasses: Apply in early fall when grass resumes growth after summer heat. The second best time is early spring.

• Southern warm season grasses: Top dress in early spring as grass greens up. Avoid summer applications.

• All climates: Avoid top dressing when grass is stressed or dormant.

• Aerating before top dressing helps work compost into the soil.

• Always water after applying to wash particles down through thatch.

• Fertilize 1-2 weeks after top dressing to provide a nutrient boost once compost breaks down.

With the right compost and timing, you’ll see a healthier, thicker lawn in no time. Avoid cheap or low quality composts that can contain contaminants or weed seeds. Invest in a quality product like one of my top recommended brands for lawns that thrive. Your lawn will thank you!