G’day, Nikolai here from The Lawn Firm. If your lawn looks bumpy, thin, or tired, top dressing is one of the best fixes I use across Canberra. It levels the surface, improves soil, and helps grass thicken up fast. Here’s exactly how I do it and why it works in our local conditions.

What is top dressing?

Top dressing is a thin layer of soil blend spread over existing turf. It smooths bumps, fills shallow lows, and feeds the root zone. Done right, it helps new shoots tiller and fill gaps.

Canberra benefits:

Levels uneven areas from soil movement and wear
Improves drainage on clay-heavy soils
Boosts seed-to-soil contact after overseeding
Encourages thicker growth that blocks weeds

When should you top dress in Canberra?

I recommend two main windows:

Autumn (March–April): Warm soil, cooler days, reliable recovery
Spring (late August–October): Lawns are waking up and ready to grow

Avoid extreme heat, heavy rain, and deep winter.

What mix should you use?

For most Canberra lawns, I use:

Sandy loam for levelling and drainage
Compost-enriched blend for nutrition and soil life
Fine, screened material so it settles evenly through the turf

Aim for 0.5–1.0 m³ per 100 m² for light correction. For bigger lows, build up in multiple light passes rather than one heavy dump.

Step-by-step: how I top dress a lawn

Mow slightly lower than usual. Collect clippings.
Clean the surface. Remove leaves and debris.
Mark sprinkler heads and edges. Protect fixtures.
Broadcast the mix. Tip small piles and spread with a shovel in a fanning motion.
Spread and settle. Use a lute, levelling rake, or the back of a stiff broom to work the blend into the canopy.
Target low spots. Feather edges so levels blend smoothly.
Water lightly. Helps the mix settle and reduces dust.
Overseed (optional). Great time to overseed thin areas for quick thickening.
Fertilise lightly. A gentle, slow-release feed supports recovery.

How much is too much?

Keep the layer 5–10 mm across most areas. Go a touch deeper only where you’re fixing shallow lows. If you bury the leaf, the lawn will struggle to breathe and photosynthesise.

Common mistakes I see

Dumping thick layers. Smothers the turf.
Using the wrong material. Coarse or organic-heavy mixes can cause thatch or hold too much water.
Skipping prep. Levelling on a messy surface gives patchy results.
No follow-up watering. The mix won’t settle and roots won’t move into it.

Pair top dressing with these services for best results

Core aeration: Opens the soil so the blend integrates and roots can drive deeper.
Overseeding: Seed locks into the new layer for fast coverage.
Fertilising: Gentle feed to support new growth.
Wetting agent: Helps water soak into hydrophobic patches.

How long until I see results?

In the right season, you’ll see visible thickening within 2–4 weeks. Levelling benefits are immediate. Full blending of the mix into the profile takes a few months, especially on heavier clay.

DIY or call The Lawn Firm?

You can DIY a light pass on a small lawn. But for even results on larger or uneven sites, professional tools and technique matter. My team brings the right blend, the right levelling gear, and the right sequencing with aeration, seed, and nutrition. That means cleaner surfaces, faster recovery, and fewer re-works.

Ready to smooth, strengthen, and thicken your lawn?

I’ll assess your site, choose the correct blend, and schedule top dressing for the best season window. No stress. No guesswork. Just a level, healthy lawn that’s easier to maintain.

Leave it to the experts. Let The Lawn Firm represent your lawn.

Book a free consultation today!