Compost Giveaway: Topdressing for Success

Join us for our Compost Giveaway: Topdressing for Success event! Get FREE compost on Friday, April 25, 2025 and Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Barksdale Senior Center located on 1801 N Lincoln Ave. Tampa Water Department customers can register to load up and take home high-quality compost. Our goal is to help improve your soil's ability to hold water and give your lawn or landscape the boost it needs to thrive in every season. Not only is compost a great tool for gardening, but it also helps you save water!

Topdressing with compost will increase your soil’s water holding capacity, increase healthy growth, and help sustain your lawn or landscape through the dry spring season.

Remember, the City of Tampa is under once-a-week watering restrictions. Let us help you keep your lawn or landscape healthy, while keeping your water use down.

What you need to know:

• Read & review the information provided on compost & topdressing.
• Arrive at the location at your designated time.
• Bring your own container: 5-gallon buckets work best!
• Take up to 30 gallons of compost (or six 5-gallon buckets).

• Current City of Tampa Water Department customers are eligible to register. Please only register once per household.
• Please confirm with My Tampa Services that you are a Tampa Water Department customer. Ineligible registrations will be canceled.
• Be advised that not all addresses containing Tampa as the city lie within the Department’s water service area; to confirm, please visit our website above. Ineligible registrations will be canceled and notified.
• Residents must be prepared to lift and transport their own containers with compost. Assistance is limited.
• Vehicles should be prepared to have their compost bins placed in with efficiency and order. The goal is to move vehicles through the line as quickly as possible to avoid delays.

What is compost?

Compost is a dark, crumbly material created when microorganisms break down organic matter, such as leaves and grass clippings.

What is topdressing?

Topdressing is an ultra-fine compost that will spread easily over your lawn and sift through the leaf blades, establishing a moist nutrient-rich layer for roots.

What kind of compost is best for topdressing?

Different compost for different purposes: some compost works best as a soil amendment; other compost works best for topdressing. Topdressing compost should be made from plant material (not manure), and screened for a uniform fine texture.

Will topdressing work on every lawn?

Topdressing will not benefit a heavily thatched St. Augustine lawn because the compost will get stuck in the mass of stems and shoots.

How should I store my compost?

Compost should be stored in a dry location away from extra moisture sources in sunlight or shade. Air-tight containers are not recommended; you should use a well-ventilated space or container for storage as you use your compost. Place your unused compost away from trash cans or other sources of garbage.

Host or Publisher Tampa Water Department Conservation Team