When it comes to creating a beautiful landscape in your yard, there is more to it than selecting and planting beautiful flowers. While you don’t have to listen to Walter Reeves every weekend to achieve a beautiful landscape, it does help to have some “know-how” in your knowledge base. Topsoil often gets overlooked, yet it is something that every gardener, novice or not, needs to have. Topsoil is the top 2-8 inches of soil on any part of your landscape, and it helps to provide the ground with nutrients to keep plants healthy.
Natural topsoil occurs when leaves and plants decay. As they go through the decaying process, they create a nutrient-rich layer of dirt. Depending on how your landscape is set up, you may have more natural topsoil in some areas than others. This is why your hydrangeas may thrive in one area of your yard but struggle in another area. Because topsoil only includes the top 2-8 inches of soil, the nutrients may not be enough for you to create the lush landscape that you desire.
Topsoil can add many benefits to your yard and garden beds:
More nutrients:Topsoil can provide many nutrients to your landscape. With weeds, saplings, and other mature plants in your landscape, they all compete for nutrients. It is important to provide your flowers, shrubs, bushes, and trees with plenty of good soil to grow and remain healthy.
Improve drought resistance:Let’s face it, summer in Georgia is HOT. Topsoil helps protect the roots of plants by locking in moisture that is already drained into the soil. Topsoil ensures there is more water for your plants because it prevents evaporation, so even during periods of little rainfall, your plants can have the moisture they need.
Better drainage:Along with drought resistance, topsoil drains very well. Topsoil helps prevent your plants from drowning in a heavy rainstorm while also trapping moisture deep in the ground to promote root growth and expansion.
Less erosion:Rain, wind, and other water that runs down a slope will wash away soil if it is not properly anchored. Topsoil not only provides an added layer of protection, but it also allows plants to establish a good root system that holds the soil in place.
Southern Landscape Supply screens, cleans, and amends native Georgia soils into organic planting mixes. All of our soils are indigenous to Georgia and create the ideal growing environment for Georgia plants. We process topsoil, composts, and other organic materials to create the perfect soil for your landscape project.
FAQs
Topsoil helps protect the roots of plants by locking in moisture that is already drained into the soil. Topsoil ensures there is more water for your plants because it prevents evaporation, so even during periods of little rainfall, your plants can have the moisture they need.
Can you use topsoil for landscaping? ›
It's best to use it wherever you're lacking soil, for example, to fill in a low spot in your lawn, or as a base layer in a new garden that's missing a foundation of soil. If you use topsoil in a garden, you'd still have to add additional compost or manure to help your plants thrive.
Do I really need topsoil? ›
No plants thrive in dirt. Topsoil, on the other hand, contains natural organic matter from leaves, grasses, weeds and tree bark that can help sustain plant life.
Does top soil promote grass growth? ›
Due to a variety of factors, it's not uncommon to notice patches of your lawn where grass isn't growing well. You may even notice areas of your yard that are slightly uneven. Topsoil is a great remedy for both problems. To grow grass, simply spread topsoil across the area so it is 1 inch deep.
Is lawn soil better than topsoil? ›
For example, topsoil will be a better choice if you are filling a large land area. This is because it is relatively cheaper and will offer better coverage than lawn soil. In a smaller land area, lawn soil may be better because it is specifically designed to provide necessary nutrients to plants.
Will plants grow in topsoil? ›
Creating new garden beds: Topsoil is often used to create new planting areas or to expand existing ones. It provides a nutrient-rich base for plants to grow in. On its own, topsoil is not a great growing medium and I would recommend mixing in compost.
Can you put topsoil over weeds? ›
Please treat dense, mature weeds with non-selective herbicide before adding the new topsoil.
What are 3 benefits of topsoil? ›
The topsoil layer is where nutrients are delivered to plants, water is absorbed, sunlight helps to aid the growing process, and wildlife and microorganisms interact with the plant in various ways. In short, it is where the "magic" happens.
Can I put topsoil over dead grass and reseed? ›
Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass.
What is better than topsoil? ›
Difference in Composition
Garden soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, while topsoil is primarily made up of sand, silt, and clay. This means that garden soil is typically more nutrient-rich, while topsoil may need to be supplemented with additional nutrients for plants to thrive.
Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.
Should you mix grass seed with topsoil? ›
Although people who are establishing a new lawn may need to mix their grass seed with topsoil prior to applying it, this is not necessary when overseeding.
Is 2 inches of topsoil enough? ›
To install a new lawn, plan to spread a layer of 3 to 6 inches of topsoil before sowing seed or laying sod, depending on the quality of your existing soil. What's the best kind of topsoil to buy?
What is the best soil for landscaping? ›
The best soil for gardening is well-draining but moisture retentive. While loamy soil is ideal for most plants, it's important to keep in mind that different plants thrive in different types of soils. For example, succulents need sandy soil, and certain trees and shrubs thrive in clay soils.
What is the best soil for leveling a yard? ›
The Best Fill Dirt For Leveling A Yard
Experts recommend topdressing the yard using friable soil, which is a mixture of top soil and sand.
Can I use topsoil instead of mulch? ›
Adding topsoil alone does not ensure soil performance, especially if the “topsoil” is mostly inert and contains little to no organic matter or active soil microbes. Mulch is a material applied to the soil surface to discourage weeds, provide shade and reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
Is landscape mix the same as top soil? ›
Landscape Mix often has a higher percentage of organic material and sand to promote adequate drainage along with moisture and nutrient retention. Landscape Mix is better suited for planting established plants while topsoil is better for gardening and seeding/sodding a lawn.
Can I use top soil instead of dirt? ›
The reason top soil is sold separately from fill dirt is they provide totally different functions and uses. You probably wouldn't think of using top soil to build your home, nor would you select fill dirt to grow your vegetables in your garden. Each project requires different results from different types of dirt.
Is topsoil OK for garden beds? ›
Topsoils with a loamy texture are great for gardening because they are easy to till and promote airflow.
