Fertilizing our yard

It is winter (dry season) here and some of the trees lose their leaves for 2 or 3 months.  This is the time of year when the grass is fertilized but they don't do it like we do.  They have black soil delivered and it is spread thinly all over the grass.   They water it and after 2 months or so it is absorbed in and the grass does look much healthier and greener.  Some people use tobacco stems the same way but it is a bit smelly.   The grass here is different than our grass.    It send out shoots and spreads but doesn't really grow much in height, although it does send up thin stems that need to be cut off to keep things looking neat and trim.   It isn't lush and soft to sit on.    They plant the grass by hand and it takes 3 or 4 months and fills in the yard.