Top soil for St. Augustine grass

rao11010

Joined: Sep 2, 2012

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Is it too late to still apply a top soil? I believe I heard if the temperature gets too hot, the soil can burn the grass when first distributed. Thanks

AgDotCom

Joined: Oct 23, 1999

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12:17p, 5/14/19

I've never had that problem and I've done it several times. But that doesn't mean it can't happen. My biggest issue has been top dressing too much. If the top dressing has a lot of "finer, broken up" (for lack of a better word) clay in it, my max would be about 1/4". If a sandy loam, and I can work it in toward the bottom easier, maybe 3/8 to a half inch. Bottom line, failure has taught me to make sure the grass can get as much light and air as possible. I'm thinking someone with more experience will be here to set us straight and make me look bad, which I'm fine with.

lotsofhp

Joined: Sep 3, 2006

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12:24p, 5/14/19

Just depends what the weather does, but I'd hold off till next year at this point

CSTXAg92

Joined: Oct 17, 2004

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1:52p, 5/14/19

Would like to know too. Also, would like ideas on best way to spread it evenly.

cevans_40

Joined: Jun 15, 2009

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2:03p, 5/14/19

Are you wanting to top dress the entire lawn or just some low lying areas?

rao11010

Joined: Sep 2, 2012

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In reply to CSTXAg92 • 2:21p, 5/14/19

CSTXAg92 said:
Would like to know too. Also, would like ideas on best way to spread it evenly.

I have a compost roller that's supposed to evenly spread it out as you roll. I'm in Katy if you'd like to borrow it.

rao11010

Joined: Sep 2, 2012

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In reply to cevans_40 • 2:22p, 5/14/19

cevans_40 said:
Are you wanting to top dress the entire lawn or just some low lying areas?

Entire lawn. My days have escaped me and I feel i'm behind schedule. I'd like to aerate and top dress if possible.

KenAg06

Joined: Jan 8, 2013

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In reply to rao11010 • 3:06p, 5/14/19

rao11010 said:
cevans_40 said:
Are you wanting to top dress the entire lawn or just some low lying areas?
Entire lawn. My days have escaped me and I feel i'm behind schedule. I'd like to aerate and top dress if possible.

I would make sure you have the weeds under control before you do. I did the aerate and top dress with compost this year and the weeds loved it.

reddog90

Joined: Nov 7, 2016

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4:49p, 5/14/19

Are you topdressing with soil to level the lawn?

cevans_40

Joined: Jun 15, 2009

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In reply to rao11010 • 3:49p, 5/15/19

rao11010 said:
cevans_40 said:
Are you wanting to top dress the entire lawn or just some low lying areas?
Entire lawn. My days have escaped me and I feel i'm behind schedule. I'd like to aerate and top dress if possible.

What's the reasoning behind this? Do you have compaction and/or infiltration issues?