For lawns, the texture of soil used as topdressing material should be slightly coarser than the soil of the surface to which the material is being applied.

For lawns, the texture of soil used as topdressing material should be slightly coarser than the soil of the surface to which the material is being applied.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Slightly finer
• D. The same texture

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that you want a topdressing layer that doesn’t seal the surface. Using a material with a texture that is slightly coarser than the existing surface soil allows water and air to move more freely into and through the top layer, which keeps the turf roots healthy and helps prevent a crust from forming on the surface. That is why the best choice is to use a topdressing that is a bit coarser than the surface soil. A slightly coarser texture infiltrates better, contributes to better drainage, and gradually blends with the soil as fines filter down. If you used a finer texture or the same texture, the layer can compact and form a crust that slows water infiltration and reduces gas exchange, leading to poorer turf health. A noticeably coarser material would not fill in the surface well enough, so slight coarseness is the right balance.

The key idea is that you want a topdressing layer that doesn’t seal the surface. Using a material with a texture that is slightly coarser than the existing surface soil allows water and air to move more freely into and through the top layer, which keeps the turf roots healthy and helps prevent a crust from forming on the surface.

That is why the best choice is to use a topdressing that is a bit coarser than the surface soil. A slightly coarser texture infiltrates better, contributes to better drainage, and gradually blends with the soil as fines filter down. If you used a finer texture or the same texture, the layer can compact and form a crust that slows water infiltration and reduces gas exchange, leading to poorer turf health. A noticeably coarser material would not fill in the surface well enough, so slight coarseness is the right balance.