NJ Lawns Community

Hey all, I'm in Hackensack and trying to figure out the right compost top dressing rate before I place a bulk order. Every article I read gives a different number - some say 1/4 inch, others say 1/2 inch, and I even found one that swears by 2 inches! I've got a mixed lawn of tall fescue and some KBG that's about 5 years old. Looking to do about 2,000 sq ft. What's actually worked for you guys in Bergen County? Want to get this right so I'm not wasting money or burning my grass.

Ugh, I feel your pain Mike - the conflicting advice is maddening! Here's the thing though - less is more when it comes to top dressing. For your lawn I'd go with 1/4 to 3/8 inch MAX. That works out to about 0.6 to 0.9 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft. I've been doing my lawn in Tenafly for 8 years and anything thicker than that just sits on top and goes anaerobic - your grass literally can't breathe. Plus our clay soil here in the Hackensack floodplain already holds too much water. Hit up Richfield Turf on Route 4 for screened compost, avoid the stuff from Home Depot that's basically wood chips.

Mike - agree with CQ on the depth but gotta add something. The biggest mistake I see in this area is people dump compost then don't adjust their watering. If you're putting down fresh compost, it's going to hold moisture way longer than your soil alone. I spent 3 years fixing irrigation for clients in Englewood and Paramus who torched their lawns because they kept the same schedule after top dressing. Pro tip: wait about 2 weeks after application before you start hitting it with the sprinkler system hard. The compost needs to integrate and your grass roots will chase that moisture down anyway. What's your irrigation setup?

Wait Ivan makes a great point about the watering adjustment. I'd also say timing matters too - I did my last top dressing mid-March right before we got those couple warm days and my lawn came in way faster than neighbors who did theirs in April. That said, 2 weeks is solid advice for not overwatering. Also agree on the screened compost - got mine from Delaware Rain or whatever that mulch place in Rutherford? Anyway, definitely ask if it's been aged at least 6 months. Fresh hot compost will literally cook your fescue crowns, ask me how I know lol learn from my mistakes.

Thanks both - this is super helpful. Have a standard In-ground system with Hunter rotors, nothing fancy. So you're saying do 1/4 inch max, wait 2 weeks before going heavy on watering, and make sure I'm getting properly aged screened compost? I was looking at the bulk delivery from Jonny Appleseed in Saddle River but not sure if that's quality. Anyone used them? That's about 20 minutes from me so it'd save on delivery fees.

Jonny Appleseed is hit or miss honestly. Their screening quality varies - sometimes you get good stuff, other times it's chunky and doesn't filter down well. Got local guys in the horticultural society who recommend Bergen County Agway on Forest Avenue in Ridgefield - they source from PA compost farms and it's consistent. Whatever you get, grab a wheelbarrow and test how it flows through your fingers first. Should be dark, crumbly, not slimy. If it's wet and clumpy, let it dry a bit before spreading. Good luck!

Adding one more thing since you'renew to this - put down your compost in sections and rake it out lightly. Don't just throw it and hope for the best. I use a metal garden rake and pull against the surface. You're aiming to fill in the low spots and minor grade issues while feeding the soil. After raking it in, run a lawn mower over everything WITHOUT the bag - the blades will help work it down into the canopy. Sounds weird but it really helps it contact the soil. Oh and wear a dust mask cause that'll compost dust is messy lol. Let us know how it goes!