• (v. t.) To apply a surface dressing of manureto,as land.
A fertiliser application on a crop any time after planting.
Top'-dress` transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Top-dressed ; present participle & verbal noun Top-dressing .] To apply a surface dressing of manureto,as land. 
Apply fertiliser to a growing crop.
To spread fertilizer, compost, or manure over the surface of the soil around a growing plant in order to nourish it without disturbing the roots.
a process that means apply to the top.
To evenly spread fertilizers or other soil amendments over the surface of the soil.
Top-dress means to spread a thin layer of compost over soil without digging it in, allowing the slow release of nutrients into the soil.
Applying fertiliser to the surface of soil (normally in a growing crop) so that rain will wash the nutrients into the soil.
To spread manure or fertilizer on the surface of (land) without working it into the soil. I top-dress my garden beds every year with fresh leaf mold.
To spread manure or fertilizer on the surface of (land) without working it into the soil. I top-dress my garden beds every year with fresh leaf mold.