Facts about Top Soil

Having a nice home garden is a noble undertaking for any person because it brings you peace, and it does the same for your family. It can be your contribution to tackling climate change or your answer to food insecurity. Whatever motivation you have for having a garden is not important as long as you have one. It is important to note that having a flourishing piece of land that produces fruits, vegetables, or flowers is not easy. It takes a bit of knowledge and resources. For example, you should invest in gardening equipment if you are to prepare the land well for your crops or flowers to prosper. Similarly, you have to invest in the best type of top soil because it is important. Here are some facts on this type of soil.

What is it?

Land normally used for gardening or farming has five layers in most cases namely humus, subsoil, weathered rock, and bedrock. Each one of them plays a critical role in the garden or farm. For example, the bedrock and weathered rock fragments provide the stability plants needs to grow. However, it is this soil that contains all the nutrients a plant needs to survive. You can find this layer of soil about 2 to 8 inches from the surface. Plants normally anchor their roots in this layer drawing water and nutrients from it. If this soil is not of good quality then it means that whatever you plant on your garden will be of low quality because of mineral deficiency. Fortunately, you can buy it readily from responsible vendors.

How do you go about buying it?

First, you should determine what you intend to use it for at home. For example, soils for use in planting flowers or vegetables require a high organic content as opposed to those used for laying turf. You should also note that vegetables require a higher level of organic content than flowers. Soil used to lay turf should be free of lumps, stones, and clay to make it more presentable and even. Ask about the grade of the soil before buying so that you only buy the highest quality grade or one that is specific to your intentions. It is important to note that sometimes, unscrupulous companies can sell you top soil from skip waste and building works. These soils may contain many impurities including trace metals or other affluent deposits that could harm you. For this reason, you should make sure that the soil comes from virgin land.

Can you improve it?

Yes, you can improve it. You can start by breaking its lumps into finer pieces than you have now by simply raking the soil. Doing so will open up your soil allowing water and air to seep into it. You should add some manure into it as you rake it. Manure is a natural form of a fertilizer and it includes animal dung as well as plants you plough back into the soil. For example, leaf mould and seaweed mulch are excellent sources of nutrients for your soil.