top dressing

Add a top dressing of compost and/or earthworm castings to give the plant an added boost.

Purchase already-blooming bulbs, then sweeten the deal with a top dressing of anticipation by putting together a DIY bulb-forcing kit with everything needed to keep the show going well into the new year.

Shells can be added in the planting hole or as a top dressing, worked slightly into the soil.

Sparks said he adds worm castings as a top dressing to his trees as well.

The soil will benefit from a little cultivation and a top dressing of compost or leaf mold, which is then scratched into the soil.