Many novice gardeners think topsoil and garden soil are one and the same, but that simply isn’t the case. Understanding these two types of soil and when to use them can make the difference between achieving your landscape goals and wasting your time and effort.
Whether you’re filling raised bed planters, creating container gardens, topdressing your lawn or embarking on another gardening project, you need to use the right landscaping materials.
What is Topsoil?
Scientists consider topsoil to be the uppermost layer of soil. In the landscape materials industry, however, topsoil refers to earth that has gone through a screening process to remove debris and create a consistent texture.
Landscape professionals often call topsoil fill dirt – but it’sreally not actual dirt. Dirt is what you find when you excavate a basem*nt or attic. 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. However, topsoil is not enriched or amended at all, which limits its use as a growing medium.
What is Garden Soil?
Garden soil is topsoil that has been enriched to make it better suited for plant growth. Amendments may include compost or other organic matter, and some soils – like perennial potting mixes – have added ingredients to encourage growth of specific types of plants.
Generic soils vary greatly in quality, as do many of the options at local big box stores. When selecting a bagged or bulk soil blend, check to make sure it contains no chemicals or fertilizers. For the greatest gardening success, look for an organic blend that is formulated for the growing conditions in your region.
Deciding Between Topsoil and Garden Soil
Topsoil is more of ageneral-purpose landscape material. Gardeners use topsoil to:
Level low spots in the lawn in preparation for sod installation
Add organic material to an existing lawn as a means of reducing thatch and increasing pest and weed resistance
Fill the lower layer of raised bed planters
Garden soil is a growing medium, designed to provide much-needed nutrients for improved plant health. Gardeners turn to this landscape material for:
Hanging flower baskets and window boxes
Raised bed planters and container gardens
Vegetable, herb and flower garden beds
Rose bushes and other ornamental shrubs
High-quality enriched soil tends to cost more than topsoil, but the needs of your garden – and not the price of the landscape material – should be the deciding factor. Keep in mind, too, that if you have a large area to cover, you can consider combining the two soils.
Do you need help choosing the right type of soil for your northern Utah garden project? The Dirt Bag specializes inbagged and bulklandscape materials, and our team can give you expert advice regarding which products best meet your needs. To learn more, or to schedule delivery of topsoil or garden soil, contact our West Jordan office today.
FAQs
Garden soil is topsoil that has been enriched to make it better suited for plant growth. Amendments may include compost or other organic matter, and some soils – like perennial potting mixes – have added ingredients to encourage growth of specific types of plants.
What is the difference between top soil and garden soil? ›
What is Garden Soil? Garden soil is just topsoil that has extra organic matter mixed in, like compost, peat, bark shredding, or fertilizer.
Can bagged garden soil be used as potting soil? ›
Can You Use Garden Soil as a Substitute for Potting Soil or Vice-versa? Yes, you could use either garden soil or potting soil to grow outdoor plants. However, potting soil is a better choice as a growing medium as it's specifically created to support plant growth.
Can I use topsoil in my garden? ›
If you are gardening, you will want to avoid thicker topsoils that retain water very well – it's true that all plants need water, but thicker topsoils will not allow for much air to reach the roots of the plant. Topsoils with a loamy texture are great for gardening because they are easy to till and promote airflow.
Is there a difference between garden soil and potting soil? ›
Potting mix is meant to stand alone, as opposed to being mixed in with existing soils. It is a self-contained product designed to provide potted plants with everything they need to grow and thrive. Garden soil is meant to be spread around. Mix garden soil in with your native dirt to improve it.
What is the best type of soil to use for a vegetable garden? ›
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 top soil for a garden? ›
Avoid chalk topsoil as much as possible; look for loam instead. Loam is the best kind of soil to use because it's suitable for your plants and has a neutral pH balance that will not alter your vegetation's properties. To get the most out of your topsoil, consider screening it.
Why can't I use Miracle-Gro garden soil in containers? ›
Soil taken from your yard or a garden bed is too dense to use in a pot or raised bed. Instead, for containers, you'll want to use potting mix (also called potting soil), a lightweight and fluffy alternative. For raised beds, you'll want to use a blend of potting mix and garden soil.
Why can't I use garden soil in pots? ›
Garden soils are typically intended for use in the ground and contain minerals and organic matter. They are not a good choice for containers because the soil can quickly become compacted and waterlogged, reducing air space around the roots. This can lead to poor or stunted growth.
Do you use garden soil or potting soil for grow bags? ›
Grow bags require well-draining soil that retains just enough moisture so the root mass will not dry out between waterings. Bagged products labeled as potting soil or container mix are ideal. Many potting soils contain peat moss but more and more mixes are now using coir (coconut fiber) instead.
As a general rule of thumb, you can aim for a depth of 8'' of fresh topsoil when you start this project. There is nothing magical about the 8'' number, but it's a good starting point and will give you a number to do some calculations with based on the size of your garden.
Is compost or topsoil better for vegetable gardens? ›
You get the best of both worlds with a mixture since topsoil will offer a robust home for roots with plenty of water, while compost will provide a boost of nutrients. There are, however, certain projects which will benefit more from one than the other if you can't afford compost or you need to fill a large area.
Do I really need topsoil? ›
Topsoil plays an important role in getting your plants started on the right foot. Nutrient-rich topsoil is vital to helping your plants grow and reach their full potential. They need good quality soil in order to develop strong root systems and thrive in your lawn or garden.
Are garden soil and topsoil the same thing? ›
Gardening Basics: Is Garden Soil the Same as Topsoil? While they have their similarities, garden soil is not the same as topsoil. Topsoil, as the name implies, is the very top layer of soil. Topsoil is dense with minerals and organic matter, which gives it a much darker color than other gardening soils.
Can I use bagged topsoil for potted plants? ›
Don't. Ever. Topsoil belongs in the garden. Although it works perfectly fine in that garden environment, it's a poor choice for container gardening.
Can I mix potting mix with garden soil? ›
Potting soil can be mixed with garden soil for particular cases such as raised beds, but it's not a good mix for containers. Learn more about these different types of soil and how to use them in various types of gardens.
Can I put garden soil on my lawn? ›
Garden soil may not provide the necessary nutrients in the right proportions for healthy grass growth. Consider using a specialized lawn soil or adding fertilizers to meet the grass's needs. Soil pH: Grass generally prefers a slightly acidic soil pH, while garden soil may have a different pH level.
Can I use garden soil in raised beds? ›
When growing plants in containers or raised beds, you need to pay special attention to the soil you use. Soil taken from your yard or a garden bed is too dense to use in a pot or raised bed. Instead, for containers, you'll want to use potting mix (also called potting soil), a lightweight and fluffy alternative.
Do you plant grass seed in topsoil or garden soil? ›
'To prepare your soil before planting grass seed, simply till and loosen the soil to create the best growing conditions – you don't need to put down topsoil,' says Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love.
