Top Dressing 101: Sand Versus Soil

Why Top Dress?

There are only two reasons to top dress a new or established lawn. First, to improve the level, fill holes, or fix uneven areas. Second, to add nutrients to the soil as part of a regular lawn care routine.

More often than not, top dressing is needed to correct poor preparation. If the base soil was low quality or if the lawn was laid unevenly, you’ll end up needing to top dress sooner. If you’re starting fresh, remember the 5 P’s – Proper preparation prevents poor performance. When your lawn is prepped right, fertilised seasonally, healthy, and level, top dressing becomes a rare task, not a routine one. Unless you’re a fanatic who love a lawn project.

Sand Versus Soil

Your topdressing product should match your purpose. Many lawn lovers swear by sand, applying a light layer each spring to encourage fresh growth. These are usually the die-hards who core or aerate, scalp, de-thatch, and fertilise before top dressing – it’s all part of their annual program.

Sand alone doesn’t feed your lawn. But when used properly to level surfaces, improve drainage, or adjust soil structure, it can be highly effective. Overuse, however, can reduce soil fertility over time.

For most home lawns, a top dressing soil blend is the better pick. These mixes combine screened loam or topsoil, compost (like cow manure), and coarse sand. Quality blends may include added fertiliser for a nutrient boost.

Benefits of Sand

Using a basic washed pit sand or USGA labelled sand is a common and cost-effective option. It helps level out uneven areas and improve drainage, but brings no nutritional value. If you’re levelling once or twice over the life of the lawn, Washed Pit Sand is a suitable choice.

For more refined applications or ongoing lawn care programs, Fairway Pro-MAXX is a smarter option. It combines the consistency of washed sand with enhanced performance for professional-quality turf. Here’s what it brings:

• Better Smoothness – Fills the canopy voids for a flatter, cleaner finish.

• Thatch Dilution – Breaks up dense thatch when paired with verticutting or scarifying.

• Turf Protection – Cushions the crown and leaf tips, helping the lawn recover faster from wear.

• Firmer Surface – Helps maintain firmness and bounce underfoot without compaction.

• Soil Structure Improvement – With repeated use, Fairway Pro-MAXX builds a well-drained, structured rootzone.

It’s the premium choice for serious lawn owners or those after a prestige finish.

Benefits of Soil

A good top dressing soil mix brings many of the same structural benefits and adds nutrients. A thin layer of organic soil feeds the turf, adds organic matter, and helps support a stronger, more resilient lawn.

Which is right for you?

Use a top dressing soil mix if your lawn needs a nutrient boost. It thickens your turf, encourages new growth, and supports pest and weed resistance.

Choose Washed Pit Sand if you’re fixing low spots, levelling, or improving drainage on a budget. If you want a higher-performance result with all the same benefits – plus better consistency and long-term improvement – Fairway Pro-MAXX is your go-to.

For best results, only use sand once or twice during the life of your lawn for major levelling. Make a quality topdressing soil part of your ongoing routine. If you do choose to use sand, pair it with a high-quality fertiliser to drive strong regrowth and recovery.