What kind of topsoil should i buy

This article has been viewed 51, times. Topsoil is the top 6 - 12 inches of soil found in many gardens and lawns. Good topsoil should be nutrient and mineral rich and promote the growth of plants in your lawn or garden. Topsoil is the layer on top of the subsoil, and it sometimes differs because it has a high amount of organic matter, is nutrient rich, and has low salts.

When looking for good topsoil there are a number of things that you can do to ensure its quality before committing to a final purchase. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods.

Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Method 1. Look for a darker tone in the soil. The more organic material in your soil, the better chance your plants are going to thrive. Topsoil that is too light in color is lacking this material, and will impede the growth of any plants or food that you are trying to plant.

In addition, check the surface of the soil for a light or white residue that may indicate the presence of salts or lime, which are both chemicals that can have toxic effects on a garden or lawn. Avoid buying soil that looks like this. Good topsoil should crumble in your fingers. You should feel the grit in it which indicates minerals that are needed for your plants like phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium.

Avoid soil that is too hard, as it indicates low organic matter. Soil that clumps up into balls or large chunks is too rich in clay.

Ideally your topsoil is going to be a perfect combination of silt, clay, and sand. Place a portion of wet soil in the palm of your hand. Rub the sand around and pour a little more water over it while it's in your hand.

As the sand becomes wet, you can physically feel for its properties. Gritty soil indicates high sand, smoothness indicates high silt, and stickiness indicates high clay. The sand should be dark and posses a combination of stickiness, grittiness, and smoothness. It should be an equal combination of all three. Smell the soil and make sure that it smells sweet.

Good topsoil will smell sweet. Avoid any soils that have an off-odor or smell like chemicals such as gasoline. This indicates unwanted and unnatural chemicals which can stop plants from growing, and makes for terrible topsoil.

If the soil in question smells like rotting material, stay clear of it. Method 2. Determine different locations that sell soil. You may need to buy in topsoil if the existing soil is poor, damaged or if the space to be gardened has no natural soil, such as a courtyard or patio garden.

Many gardens have poor soil, such as those found behind new-build homes , where the natural topsoil has been stripped away during the construction process. Topsoil can be used to cover the ground, to create new beds, borders or to provide a base for turf laying or sowing grass seed. In paved gardens where there is no access to soil, topsoil can be used in raised beds for growing many plants, including vegetables.

Topsoil is generally available to buy in three different grades: premium, general-purpose grade and economy grade. To avoid later problems, it is best to check the topsoil before buying it. Look out for high stone content, thick fibrous roots, weeds and contaminants such as glass and brick. Inspection will enable any concerns you may have to be discussed before purchasing it. Ask the supplier where it is coming from and whether it all has the same origin building sites are often used as a source and the quality can be variable.

If the supplier has had soil analysis undertaken, request a copy. If they claim it is good and state facts and figures request these details in writing. The following criteria taken from BS Specification for Topsoil can be used as a guide against any analysis report a supplier offers you;.

Note that imported topsoil can sometimes introduce invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed and couch grass to the garden. Inspect the soil for signs of weed roots or shoots. Weed roots are often white and fleshy, sometimes with a brown covering, unlike the brown, dry, fibrous roots of trees and shrubs.

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Hot links Browse inspiration articles Buy plants online. Buy tickets. The term "garden soil" is often used on packages of premixed soils sold at home improvement stores, but it is not actually a separate type of soil. Soil in a home garden has its own unique texture and combination of sand, silt, clay and various minerals.

Packaged garden soils are mixed to incorporate a variety of soils and textures, and they are often mixed to target a particular type of garden or plant - you may find different mixes for flower gardens, vegetable gardens and even herb gardens. If you plan to purchase bulk garden soil rather than bags of soil from a garden supply store, inquire about the sources the soil company uses for its sand and any organic matter that has been incorporated.

That way, you can be sure it will blend well with the existing soil in your garden. The term "topsoil" refers to the top layer of soil on the surface of the earth.

Depending on the location, the topsoil layer may be 5 to 12 inches deep, and its texture may vary. For most gardening purposes, clay, silt and sandy topsoils should be avoided because they tend to retain moisture after it rains, preventing air from reaching the plant roots below. Some of the best types of topsoil include those with a loamy texture having a mixture of between 7 percent and 27 percent clay, 28 percent to 50 percent silt and under 52 percent sand.