What practice involves spreading new soil over existing soil to create permanent pore space over time?

Topdressing is a practice widely used in turf management and sports facility management to improve soil quality and turf health. By spreading a thin layer of new soil or compost over the existing soil, topdressing helps to enhance soil structure and aeration, which can lead to the creation of permanent pore spaces over time. These pore spaces improve water infiltration, nutrient availability, and root growth, resulting in a healthier and more resilient turf.

This practice is particularly beneficial for athletic fields, golf courses, and other areas where intense usage can lead to soil compaction and deterioration. By maintaining a healthy soil foundation through topdressing, turf managers can ensure better playing conditions and overall facility longevity.

In contrast, overseeding involves planting new seeds into an existing turf to thicken the lawn or promote specific grass types but does not primarily alter soil structure. Mulching refers to covering the ground with organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and composting is the process of decomposing organic matter to create rich soil, neither of which directly pertains to improving pore space in existing soil through a layer of new soil.