Module 4:

4.3 When are they used?

4.3.6 Top-dressing

1   There are typically two main periods for top-dressing, although as with fertiliser applications these can be more frequent and specific for higher quality pitches.

The end of season renovation, which is typically in May, is a key and arguably the most important time for applying topdressing as this helps reset and improve the pitch ready for the next playing season. Where a large quantity of top-dressing is needed for renovation, then this might be split into more than one application, for example one in May then another 2 to 4 weeks later.

2   During the playing season top-dressing material is used as a divot mix (usually with grass seed for the early part of the season) to help with minor repairs and to keep the surface in a relatively good condition.

A localised sand dressing is often carried out, combined with some hand-forking, during the middle to later part of the playing season on wetter pitches where bare or muddy soil is present. This can be useful on pitches with a medium to heavier soil and it helps to dry out the surface. It can also help to at least make the pitch playable, in contrast to a game having to be postponed or cancelled.