The Ultimate Guide to Top Dressing Your Lawn on the Sunshine Coast (September Edition)
Spring is here, the mornings are warming up, and the lawn lovers of the Sunshine Coast are itching to get their hands dirty. This is the month where your lawn can go from patchy and tired to lush and level. And the secret? Top dressing. Done right, it’s not just about looks – it’s about creating a healthier, more resilient lawn that thrives in our sandy coastal soils.
This guide isn’t just the basics – it’s the full playbook. We’ll cover the science, the process, the gear, the products, and even the “why” behind each step. By the end, whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned lawn fanatic, you’ll be ready to top dress like a pro.
🌿 Why Top Dress?
Top dressing is like giving your lawn a full renovation without tearing it up. Here’s why it’s worth the effort:
Levels out bumps and hollows – mowing becomes smoother, with fewer scalping spots.
Improves soil structure – our Sunshine Coast sandy soils drain fast but don’t hold nutrients. Top dressing helps fix that balance.
Boosts nutrient retention – blends like compost or loam hold onto fertilisers longer.
Encourages root growth – a healthier root system means better drought and pest resistance.
Revitalises worn lawns – great for repairing high-traffic areas or bare patches.
Not all sands and soils are created equal. At Caloundra Produce & Landscape Supplies, we stock products to suit different goals:
Premium Top Dress Sand (Best Choice) – Washed, uniform, and low in silt/clay. Perfect for levelling, drainage, and playability. If you want professional results, this is your go-to.
Budget Top Soil– Affordable and organic-rich. Great when you want to bulk up your soil’s fertility on a budget.
Mary River Coarse Sand– A chunkier, heavier sand. Excellent for levelling larger dips and settling uneven patches. Easy to screed.
Noosa White Fine Sand– Super fine, smooth finish. Ideal for a neat surface, but remember to water it in so it binds.
👉 Rule of thumb: Use sand for levelling and soil/loam blends for improving fertility. If you want both, you can layer your approach.
🧰 Step-by-Step September Lawn Plan
1. Prep Work
Mow low – lower than usual, but don’t scalp it down to bare dirt.
Clear debris – rake up clippings, sticks, and thatch.
Aerate if possible – use a core aerator or a garden fork to create holes. This helps sand integrate and allows roots to breathe.
2. Fertilise First
Fuel your lawn before or just after you top dress. The right fertiliser depends on your goals:
LawnPride GroTurf (15-4-11) – Quick release, instant results. Perfect if you want that rapid post-reno green-up.
CK88 (15-4-11-14S) – Reliable, cost-effective, and widely used for summer grasses like Couch and Kikuyu.
💡 Pro tip: Use aScotts Hand Spreader for an even application. Patchy spreading = patchy results.
3. Apply the Top Dress
Shovel small piles across your lawn.
Spread thinly – aim for 5–10 mm max. If you can’t see the grass tips, you’ve gone too heavy.
Level it out with the right tools:
Cyclone 760mm Premium Spreader – wide, efficient, and leaves a professional finish.
Cyclone Round-Bar Spreader – the classic, dependable leveller.
4. Water In
This is where the magic happens. A good soak settles sand into the canopy, activates fertiliser, and relieves stress on the turf.
5. Aftercare
Keep the lawn moist for 1–2 weeks so roots push into the new layer.
Avoid heavy traffic while it recovers.
Once it bounces back, mow lightly – don’t hammer it straight away.
📐 How Much Sand or Soil Do You Need?
This is where most people get caught out. Here’s the formula:
10 mm over 100 m² = 1.0 m³ of material
5 mm over 100 m² = 0.5 m³ of material
Still not sure on how much product you need? We have a Cubic Meter Calculator on our website so simply measure your width, your length and then the height and input it all into our Cubic Meter Calculator Here to work out your Cubic m3 amount.
💰 Why It’s Worth the Investment
Yes, top dressing isn’t the cheapest job. But here’s why it’s money well spent:
Fix once, enjoy for years – properly levelled lawns are easier to mow and maintain.
Save on future treatments – healthier lawns fight weeds and pests naturally.
Protect your mower – using clean, fine sand prevents blade damage (unlike cheap clay-based fills).
Get consistent results – with the right sand and tools, your lawn looks professional every time.
Think of it as an investment – one that pays you back with every barefoot walk and every compliment from the neighbours.
🐛 November Game Plan – Grub Season
Spring isn’t the end of lawn care – it’s just the start. By November, lawn grubs start making an appearance. Here’s how to stay ahead:
A slow-release fertiliser that keeps your lawn fed through summer.
Provides consistent colour and strength when your lawn needs it most.
Apply both in November – Acelepryn for protection, Maintain for nutrition – and you’ll be set until autumn.
✅ Your Action Plan
Measure your lawn area.
Choose your sand or soil (Premium Top Dress Sand for best results).
Select your fertiliser: GroTurf, CK88, or Grassmaster.
Grab your tools: Cyclone spreader + Scotts hand spreader.
Mow, aerate, fertilise, and apply 5–10 mm of top dress.
Water in and care for 2 weeks.
In November: Apply Acelepryn® GR and LawnPride Maintain.
🌟 With the right products and know-how, top dressing isn’t just a chore – it’s the most rewarding lawn project of the year. At Caloundra Produce & Landscape Supplies, we’ve got the sands, soils, fertilisers, and tools to make your lawn the best on the Sunshine Coast. Whether you’re levelling, feeding, or fighting off grubs, we’ll set you up for success.
📍 Visit us today and walk away with everything you need to transform your lawn.
