About to put down top dress then seed...

Copperdog

Ive just given the grass a light cut and then was about to put down top dressing with some seed and prob water overnight as the bald areas, have a couple 1m x 1m that look quite dry now where we've not had much rain (Berkshire). (Scarified & aerated with garden fork 2 weeks ago) Now I'm wondering should I actually give the ground a good soak with the sprinkler for a couple of hours tonight before putting the dressing and seed down early tomorrow morning?  Many thanks

Dave Humby

It won’t do any harm. It’s important to keep the seed moist while germination is taking place. Use a fine spray to stop dislodging the seed bed. 

Copperdog

Thanks Dave.  I have just emptied the bags and there are lots of lumpy bits in them.  Som break down and are a little peat like.  Some are a bit like small branches, a few are stones and some are like hard bark mulch!  I have tried to hand sieve as much as I can but would I have to pick most of this out.  Evergreen Lawn soil (now called dressing too) I will try and post a photo.

Dave Humby

Personally I wouldn’t worry too much. I’d probably pick out the worst of it but it will soon settle or be addressed by the mower! 

Copperdog

Thanks Dave.  Feeling much more confident now.  I have just popped the sprinkler on too to help bed some of it in.  Have a good Easter Dave and everyone else on the forum.

Dirty Harry

FYI you want to top dress when it's dry and brush the soil into the grass/hollows.

This site is brilliant for all lawn info-

https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/topic/soil-lawn-top-dressing/top-dressing-procedure