42 Is Topsoil The Same As Garden Soil

When it comes to having success with greenery, it’s important to know the difference between garden soil and topsoil.

Is topsoil the same as garden soil. Garden soil contains more organic material, so it drains better than clay in wet weather, while also holding more water than sandy soil during dry weather. The grass will grow best through a sandy fill. That being said, it doesn’t necessarily make the best soil for gardens 100% of the time.

Topsoil is the clay, silt, sand and other organic matter that is removed from the top 12” of earth. Topsoil and garden soil are not the same. Topsoil from a construction site is often dead and inert.

Topsoil is stripped from the top layer of soil during construction projects. Using gardening soil and topsoil it is generally not recommended that you entirely replace the soil in your lawn or garden, but additional soil is sometimes necessary if you intend to extend your garden or create raised beds. The difference between topsoil and garden soil is an even finer distinction than the difference between soil and dirt, and it has to do with the amount of organic matter, and to a lesser extent, the types of trace minerals and the ratio of clay, sand and silt.

The grass will grow best through a sandy fill. Garden soils consist of naturally occurring soils found in gardens and flower beds while potting soils are formulated for containers. When you go to the garden center, you see bags of topsoil.

Topsoil is primarily clay, silt, and sand removed from the top layer of the earth. It doesn’t have the nutrients, or microorganisms in it that your plants need to thrive. Garden soil is topsoil that has been amended with compost and other organic matter needed to feed plant growth.

Topsoil, on the other hand, contains natural organic matter from leaves, grasses, weeds and tree bark that can help sustain plant life. The same plant tumbles the soil. Lawn grass will not reliably grow up through more than about 2 inches of fill.