Why Compost Topdressing Works

Healthy lawns start with healthy soil. Beneath the grass is a living ecosystem of earthworms, micro‑arthropods, beneficial bacteria, and fungi that
cycle nutrients, build structure, and keep roots thriving. Modern lawn care often strips this biology away—constant mowing, leaf removal, and foot traffic
compact the soil and limit organic inputs. The result? Thin turf, poor water infiltration, and heavy reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

A light, even layer of organic compost—known as topdressing—reintroduces the biology and organic matter your soil is missing.
Over time, compost reduces compaction, improves soil structure, increases nutrient availability, and boosts moisture retention. Most homeowners
notice richer color and denser turf within one growing season.

What Makes Grillo Services’ Compost Different

• Plant‑based inputs: Matured blends of leaves and green materials—no sewage sludge.
• Screened for consistency: Fine texture spreads cleanly and settles quickly into the canopy.
• Biologically active: Rich in beneficial microbes that help unlock nutrients and out‑compete turf diseases.
• Locally produced in Milford, CT: Short supply chain, fresh product, and fast delivery throughout Connecticut.

For new beds or complete lawn rebuilds, pair compost with our Garden Mix (topsoil + compost) to establish deeper rooting and long‑term fertility.

Best Times to Topdress Your Lawn

• Early fall: Prime season in Connecticut—cool nights, warm days, and regular rainfall help compost integrate and roots expand.
• Mid–late spring: After soil warms and grass is actively growing. Avoid saturated or frozen ground.

You can topdress lightly in summer if irrigation is available, but keep depths modest and water in thoroughly.

How Much Compost Do I Need?

For lawns, more is not better. The goal is a light, even layer that disappears into the canopy:

Quick math: Cubic yards needed = (area in sq ft × depth in inches) ÷ 324.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Topdress with Compost

1. Mow low, collect clippings. Drop the mower one setting below normal to open the canopy. Bag or rake off debris.
2. Core aerate (recommended). Aeration relieves compaction and lets compost fall into the holes for deeper integration.
3. Spread compost evenly. Target ¼″–⅜″. Use a broadcast topdresser, compost spreader, or shovel + rake. Small piles every few feet, then rake out.
4. Brush in. Use the back of a landscape rake or a leveling lute to settle compost below the grass tips—your lawn should still look like lawn.
5. Water thoroughly. A gentle, deep soak helps compost settle and activates soil biology.
6. Optional: overseed. For thinned areas, seed immediately after spreading compost—its fine texture improves seed‑to‑soil contact.
7. Resume normal mowing. After 5–7 days, return to your regular height. Avoid removing more than ⅓ of the blade at a time.

What “Good Compost” Looks Like

Quality compost should be uniform, dark, and earthy‑smelling. It’s produced when brown materials (leaves, twigs, wood chips)
and green materials (grass, plant cuttings) are blended and broken down by microbes until stable and mature. Grillo’s compost is screened
for a fine texture that disappears into turf and spreads cleanly over garden beds.

Benefits You Can See (and Measure)

• Greener color & thicker turf: Slow‑release nutrition without surge growth.
• Soil structure: Better aggregation, fewer puddles, improved rooting depth.
• Water efficiency: Organic matter increases moisture holding capacity.
• Biological resilience: Beneficial microbes help suppress thatch‑causing organisms and certain turf diseases.
• Lower inputs over time: Healthier soil means fewer synthetic fertilizers and less frequent irrigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a soil test?

Soil tests are always helpful, especially for pH and phosphorus regulations. Compost improves most soils regardless, but a test
can fine‑tune lime and fertilizer decisions.

Will compost smother my grass?

Not if applied correctly. Keep depth to ¼″–⅜″ and rake so blades are visible through the compost. Heavier ½″ applications are reserved for renovation.

How often should I topdress?

Once per year is ideal for most lawns. Heavily used, compacted lawns may benefit from spring and fall applications the first year.

Is compost a fertilizer?

Compost supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and a broad range of micronutrients in a slow‑release form, but its greatest value is rebuilding soil health.
Many homeowners find they can reduce synthetic fertilizer once compost is in the program.

Order Organic Compost for Delivery

Ready to revitalize your lawn and garden beds? Get fresh, screened compost delivered from our Milford yard.