Free Lawn Topdressing & Overseeding Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of compost or topsoil blend, grass seed pounds by species, and starter fertilizer for fall lawn renovations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of compost do I need to topdress a lawn?
To topdress at a standard 1/4-inch depth, you need approximately 0.77 cubic yards of screened compost per 1,000 square feet of lawn. For a 4,000 sq ft lawn, you will need approximately 3.1 cubic yards.
Can topdressing too thick kill my existing grass?
Yes. Never apply topdressing deeper than 1/2 inch in a single application over existing grass. A layer thicker than 1/2 inch can smother grass blades, block sunlight, and kill the lawn. Stick to 1/4 inch per season.
Should I aerate before or after spreading compost topdressing?
Always core aerate before topdressing. Aerating first creates thousands of open core holes into which the topdressing compost and grass seed fall, protecting the seed and delivering organic matter directly into the root zone.
Is it cheaper to buy bulk topsoil by the cubic yard or in bags?
Bulk delivery by the cubic yard from a local landscape supply yard is dramatically cheaper. A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (27 retail bags). Buying 3 cubic yards in bags requires 81 heavy bags and costs 3 to 4 times more than a bulk dump-truck delivery.