Introduction

If you are planning on planting a new garden or lawn, you will have to have the right type of top soil to do so. There is a lot of information out there about different types of topsoil and what they mean, but before you go out and buy some more dirt for your space it’s important to understand what this stuff actually is. This blog will walk you through what exactly makes up topsoil, why it’s important for your lawn or garden, and help you decide which type of soil is best for your desired outcome!

What is Top Soil?

Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil that can be found in a natural environment. It is the material of which all other layers of soil are composed and is created through decomposition or weathering. In cultivated environments, topsoil may be removed during farming operations and then replaced with new topsoil at the end of the season; however, this type of operation does not always occur. Topsoil can also be removed from managed natural areas (such as parks) where it has been disturbed by human activity.

Topsoil tends to contain organic matter such as decaying plants and animal remains which serve key functions for healthy plant growth:

• Water retention – Soils with high levels of organic matter maintain moisture levels better than those with low amounts
• Nutrient cycling – Organic matter breaks down over time into nutrients that can then be used by plants; this process helps keep nutrient levels balanced in your soil

Top Soil vs. Fill Dirt

Top soil is typically loam-based, which means it has a high organic content. Fill dirt can be made up of various types of soil, but often clay-based. While fill dirt tends to be cheaper than topsoil, its low quality may lead to issues later on down the road. A lot of times fill dirt is very compacted and dense, which means that when you add water or fertilizer to your garden beds, it will immediately soak into the ground instead of staying at the surface level where plants need it most. This makes it harder for plants to grow strong roots into the ground since they won’t have access to nutrients that are buried deep within fill dirt.

Causes for Replacing Your Lawn’s Top Soil

If your lawn’s top soil has been removed, it’s usually because you had to remove the lawn to plant something else. If this is the case, then you’ll need to replace the topsoil before planting new grass seed or sod.

When a lawn’s topsoil has been compacted, it becomes difficult for roots to penetrate and grow. Compacted soil will also hold less water than loose, porous soil does; this can lead to drought conditions that can eventually kill grass plants over time. In addition, any fertilizer or pesticides applied will not reach the roots as easily in compacted soils because they cannot penetrate through dense clumps of earthy material.

In many cases where there was an increase in traffic on a piece of land (such as an area where heavy machinery was being used), compacted soils are created which prevent proper root growth underfoot and make plants susceptible to pests such as weeds or insect infestations due to limited space underground where these pests can hide from sunlight exposure above ground level!

The Best Type of Top Soil for Lawns and Gardens

Before you can plant a new lawn, you need to prepare your soil. There are many different types of topsoil available, including peat moss and composted manure. While these materials may be useful in certain situations, they can also have negative effects on your plants over time. For example, peat moss often contains too much organic matter for use in vegetable gardens due to its high content of decaying plant matter (from sphagnum moss). Also, animal manures contain high amounts of nitrogen which can cause damage if their levels are not properly balanced with other nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium when used as part of a fertilizer blend.

The best type of topsoil for lawns and gardens is one that consists mainly of silt and sand with some clay mixed in to provide good drainage during rainy periods while still retaining water during dry spells so that the plants don’t suffer from drought conditions either.”

How to Use Top Soil to Add Nutrient-Rich Fertility to Your Garden or Lawn

The best time to add topsoil to your lawn or garden is in the fall and spring.

If you’re planting a new lawn, you should wait until the fall before adding topsoil. This ensures that the roots of your grass have time to establish themselves before winter comes around (and thus won’t be damaged by frost). To get good results from using this method, it’s essential that you let your grass grow until it reaches full maturity before fertilizing with topsoil—otherwise, any fertilizer added now will just wash away in spring rains or heavy summer watering.

If you’re planting a garden bed and want to use this technique for adding fertility, it’s best to wait until springtime when plants are growing strongly again after their dormancy period—this allows them enough time to absorb nutrients from composted organic matter like manure and other organic sources of carbon (such as wood shavings).

The best top soil for your lawn will be a blend that fits with the pH level you have determined is right for your lawn.

If you’re starting a new garden or lawn and want to use top soil, it is important that you find the right blend for your particular pH level.

For example, if your current soil is acidic and needs to be neutralized, consider adding lime to the topsoil mixture before planting. On the other hand, if your current soil is too alkaline (basic), you will want to add sulfur or clay into the mix before planting.

In general though, most types of topsoil are beneficial for plant growth because they provide nutrients like phosphorus and potassium which are essential for healthy plant growth and development.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped you better understand the different types of top soil and how to choose the best one for your lawn or garden. If you’re still not sure what type of soil is right for your project, we’re happy to help! Give us a call at 800-222-5656 or visit our website at www.soilworksinc.com today to get started on a new foundation for your yard.