Topsoil vs. potting soil (2024)

FAQs

Topsoil vs. potting soil? ›

Topsoil is sand or clay (ground-up rocks) mixed with organic materials such as compost. Potting soil is a mixture of peat moss and other organic materials such as composted sawdust. Topsoil is heavy. Potting soil is mostly air so it's light.

Topsoil is excellent for landscaping and filling spaces, but potting soil is better if you need a growing medium for container plants. And if you want an Earth-positive soil that's beneficial for any potted plant, you'll love Rosy's Indoor Potting Mix.

Creating new garden beds: Topsoil is often used to create new planting areas or to expand existing ones. It provides a nutrient-rich base for plants to grow in. On its own, topsoil is not a great growing medium and I would recommend mixing in compost.

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.

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.

This no-dig planting method is the fastest way to a vegetable garden – a soil bag can be planted in under 60 seconds (I clocked it). Planting directly into a bag of topsoil is also easy and convenient. At first glance, this may look like a less-than-organic approach, what with the plastic and all.

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.

Garden soil is also much heavier than potting soil, which is great for moisture retention but could lead to problems like root rot if used with the wrong kinds of plants. As we mentioned, garden soil contains bacteria and microbes.

Deciding Between Topsoil and Garden Soil

Keep in mind, too, that if you have a large area to cover, you can consider combining the two soils.

Fill the bed with compost and a soilless growing mix in a 1:1 ratio. Topsoil can be added (up to 20% by volume) for beds that are at least 16 inches deep.

Should I water after applying topsoil? ›

Next, provide your new soil with a descent amount of water. Supplying at least two inches of water for the topsoil's first drink allows it to effectively disperse the fresh nutrients it has into your existing soil.

Inexpensive bagged topsoil is rarely any good. In my observation, it is usually composed of poorly composted wood chips, silt, and sand. This mix will not support good plant growth. In addition, having different layers of materials in your raised bed will make for a very poor rooting environment.

The Best Fill Dirt For Leveling A Yard

Experts recommend topdressing the yard using friable soil, which is a mixture of top soil and sand.

Adding topsoil alone does not ensure soil performance, especially if the “topsoil” is mostly inert and contains little to no organic matter or active soil microbes. Mulch is a material applied to the soil surface to discourage weeds, provide shade and reduce moisture loss through evaporation.

Use topsoil for growing vegetables and tomatoes, for vegetable gardens and raised flower beds. You can use a mix of topsoil and children's play sand as a base for reptile houses as their bedding. This can also be used for tortoise enclosures.

Roots thrive in the uppermost 6 to 12 inches of soil, also called topsoil. If the topsoil becomes compacted by the pressure of feet or cars, roots may be prevented from accessing the water and oxygen they need.