Adding Compost on top of lawn?

so, I read to add compost on top of the existing (and pathetic) lawn.  Do I just sprinkle it on so what little grass is there has a fighting chance?  I haven't checked yet to see the depth of the good soil

I am in Virginia - is to late to put down some of that fertilzer you mentioned?

Thanks

Hippo

ps - I LOVE this website and am very familiar with your JavaRanch site!! 

Not many people make the connection that I'm the same guy between the two.

Yes, sprinkle a little compost on.  No more than an inch deep. 

Fertilizing is better.    Not too late.

Thanks!  I found a local nursery that carries the Ringer stuff, so I am off to get it today!

I am so glad we didn't put anything on our lawn this year.  We often do, but we have a child now, so we haven't put anything on the lawn in the last year or so. 

I need to figure out this compost stuff now.  I am not sure I want to buy that much to spread across the lawn (we are in a 1/4 acre lot, typical suburb small home).  I do have a compost bin (Earth machine), but it doesn't hold that much to cover the lawn!  Maybe I will just start a large pile in the back corner of our lot too.