top-dress

A farmer top-dresses the field with fertilizer.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To apply fertilizer to the surface of soil: "top-dress" means to spread fertilizer on the surface of land (especially a field or lawn) without incorporating it into the soil.
   • To spread material on a road surface: "top-dress" also means to spread gravel, stone, or other material on the surface of a road to improve it.

Usage Examples

• (Apply fertilizer to the surface of the soil.)
• (Spread organic matter on the grass surface.)
• (Spread stone material on the road surface.)

Advanced Usage

• "to top-dress with lime": to spread lime (calcium carbonate) on the surface of soil to adjust pH levels.

  • The gardener decided to top-dress the flower beds with lime to reduce acidity. (Apply lime to the soil surface.)

• "top-dressing" (noun): the material or process of applying a surface layer.

  • The top-dressing of the soccer field is done monthly to maintain turf quality. (The act or material used for surface application.)

Variants and Related Words

• Top-dressing (noun): the material spread on the surface, or the act of spreading it.

  • A layer of top-dressing helps retain moisture in the soil. (The material spread on the surface.)

• Top-dressed (adjective): having received a surface application.

  • The top-dressed lawn looks greener after the treatment. (The lawn that has been treated with surface fertilizer.)

Synonyms

• Fertilize: to apply nutrients to soil (broader term, not limited to surface application).
• Surface-apply: to spread material only on the top layer.
• Mulch: to cover the soil surface with organic matter (similar in action but often for moisture retention, not fertilizer).

Phrasal Verbs

• Top-dress with: to apply a specific material to the surface.
  • You should top-dress with a balanced fertilizer in early summer. (Apply a specific material as a surface layer.)

Related Idioms

• Top-dress the soil: a common gardening idiom meaning to improve soil quality by adding surface nutrients.
  • Before planting, top-dress the soil with aged manure. (Improve the soil by applying surface nutrients.)