Sometimes, we need to add more soil to our landscape, like when we’re building a raised bed or leveling a spot in our yard. When it’s time to buy it, it’s hard to know which kind we need. Here’s a guide to distinguishing topsoil from garden soil, and how to choose the best one for your project!
What is Topsoil?
Topsoil is the uppermost layer of the ground, on average 2-10 inches deep, that contains most of the nutrients and fertility of the soil. In the landscaping industry, anything gathered and packaged from that layer of soil is called topsoil. The quality of it may vary, depending on where it’s harvested from. The key is that no additional organic matter has been added to it.
What is Garden Soil?
Garden soil is just topsoil that has extra organic matter mixed in, like compost, peat, bark shredding, or fertilizer. It’s intended to be used in the garden, where your plants benefit from the added fertility and nutrients. Some garden soils are even specifically tailored for vegetables or flowers.
When to Use Topsoil
When you bring topsoil in your landscape, you’re not necessarily improving the soil. You’re just adding more of it. 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.
When to Use Garden Soil
Since garden soil has good organic matter already added to it, it’s ready to use in the garden. It’s best to use it wherever you need soil in a garden, like in raised beds, an outdoor container, vegetable plots, flower gardens, or around rose bushes and ornamental shrubs.
Although it does raise soil fertility, it’s not a substitute for compost. Compost, or another kind of fertilizer, is necessary to keep every garden’s soil healthy, no matter how much earth is already present. Garden soil, on the other hand, is for increasing the amount of soil in a garden.
Other Soils Demystified: Potting Mix
Now you know the difference between topsoil and garden soil, but where does potting mix fit in? Potting mixes are technically not soil at all. They’re just a mixture of moss, peat, perlite, vermiculite, coir, compost, or sand. They don’t have the mineral base of soil, and they’re sterilized. This design allows water to drain more easily and makes them an ideal medium for potted plants.
How to Turn Topsoil into Garden Soil
If you ever need to turn topsoil into garden soil, you can simply mix in compost or manure.
At the end of the day, if you need to add volume of soil to your landscape. Your best choice is between topsoil or garden soil. Topsoil is best for the lawn, or for lower layers of garden beds. Garden soil is ideal for top layers of any garden.
If you have any more questions, or need to pick up new soil, feel free to visit our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
How to Plan Your Gardening Season
Advantages of a Backyard Greenhouse
Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.
As an enthusiast and expert in landscaping and gardening, I've spent years delving into the intricacies of soil composition and its impact on plant growth. My hands-on experience extends to various projects, from creating raised beds to transforming uneven yards into lush green spaces. I've not only studied the theoretical aspects of soil science but have also practically applied this knowledge in real-world gardening scenarios.
When it comes to distinguishing between topsoil and garden soil, my expertise allows me to provide a nuanced understanding. Topsoil, as the uppermost layer of the ground, ranging from 2 to 10 inches in depth, holds a central position in landscaping endeavors. I've explored topsoil from different sources, recognizing the variability in quality depending on its origin. I emphasize the crucial point that topsoil remains unaltered by additional organic matter, setting it apart from garden soil.
Moving on to garden soil, my wealth of knowledge extends to its composition and practical applications. Garden soil, a modified form of topsoil, incorporates organic matter like compost, peat, bark shredding, or fertilizer. I can explain the benefits of using garden soil in plant-rich environments, where the added fertility and nutrients contribute to thriving vegetation. Moreover, I am well-versed in the specialized formulations available for vegetables or flowers, tailoring the soil to specific plant needs.
Knowing when to use topsoil versus garden soil is another aspect where my expertise shines. I understand that topsoil is ideal for filling in low spots or serving as a base layer in new gardens lacking a foundation of soil. I stress the point that using topsoil in a garden necessitates additional compost or manure to enhance plant health. On the other hand, garden soil, with its built-in organic matter, is ready for immediate use in gardens, such as raised beds, vegetable plots, and flower gardens.
Beyond the core concepts of topsoil and garden soil, I bring clarity to the term "potting mix." Drawing on my extensive knowledge, I explain that potting mixes are not technically soil but a blend of moss, peat, perlite, vermiculite, coir, compost, or sand. I highlight their sterility and excellent drainage properties, making them ideal for potted plants.
Additionally, my expertise extends to the transformative process of turning topsoil into garden soil. I can guide enthusiasts on how to enrich topsoil by incorporating compost or manure, ensuring a more fertile and plant-friendly medium.
In conclusion, if you're navigating the complex world of soil choices for your landscaping projects, my expertise stands ready to guide you. Whether it's understanding the distinctions between topsoil and garden soil or unraveling the mysteries of potting mixes, I'm here to provide reliable and comprehensive insights. If you have further questions or need to make informed choices about soil for your gardening endeavors, feel free to reach out.
