What Type of Soil is Best for Your Project?

The success of any landscaping project that includes live plants most often depends on the soil used. Compare Top Soil, Bio Mix, and Flower Mix.

Know Your Soil – For Great Gardening Results

Experienced farmers and landscapers know one important thing about planting anything: the composition of the soil is paramount to success. Before you can determine the proper amount of moisture, the most compatible climate for plants or specific fertilizers, it’s essential to start with the study of your soil. There are several types of soils. Some are not ideal for gardens. With a little knowledge, it is possible to turn difficult soil situations into a productive soil medium.

Identify Your Soil

Three widely used soils are:

•            Topsoil, is a clean soil that has been sifted to remove rocks, twigs, and other debris.

•            Bio Mix, is most often used in retention ponds or ditches to filter the oils and other petroleum contaminants from streets and asphalt driveways so these contaminants do not reach the rivers and streams.

•            Flower Mix, normally utilize a composition of 50 percent top soil, 25 percent Nutra-Mulch, and another 25 percent granite sand to create a rich natural mix for your favorite flowers.

Each soil type is found in a variety of climates and growing zones. In the U.S. there are a dozen growing zones. Each zone has different composition due to regional climate. In order to determine the best soil for your project, you need to identify your growing zone.

What Type of Soil is best for planting a Young Fruit Tree?

When you purchase a young fruit tree from your local gardener, ask what type of soil is best to ensure the young fruit tree isn’t subjected to shock. Young fruit trees are already “balled” with soil needed for planting. You might need to add a top soil & peat mix to the bed where the tree will be planted.

What Type of Soil is best for planting a Flower Garden?

The type of soil best for planting a flower garden depends entirely on the species of flowers to be grown, but most do best in a flower mix. Azaleas and rhododendron, for example, prefer a more acidic soil. Roses do well in peaty soil. Discuss the soil you plan to use with an expert at the gardening center or an expert landscaper.

What Type of Soil is best for planting a Vegetable Garden?

As with a flower garden, the species of vegetables to be planted determine the type of soil. Potatoes, carrots, celery and tomatoes prefer slightly sandy soil. Asparagus, peppers, and squash do best in peaty soil.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

What to Look for When Buying Gardening Soil

Is your front yard drab compared to the rest of the neighborhood? A garden is a simple way to liven up your yard without those tacky tiki torches and plastic flamingos. 

When starting a garden you should do a little research or consult a professional on what flowers, fruits, or vegetables grow best in your climate. Once you have made your choices, finding the right soil to grow your soon-to-be-beauties is next. Some plants grow best in soil, some in mulch, and some in mixtures of various planting materials. 

Flowers grow differently than most fruits and vegetables so if you plan on doing both, keep in mind they probably have different soil requirements. It is important to find out what works best for your plants so they receive adequate nutrients and water. Planting materials range from mulch to sand and soil to gravel, and finding the right one for your gardening masterpiece can be difficult. Flowers require lots of nutrients so using a soil with added nutrients or nutrient-absorbing properties is ideal. As for fruits and veggies, if they grow well in your climate, then they probably will grow well in your topsoil, but this is not always the case. Of course if you want to see them thrive then putting them in a soil mixture might jumpstart their growth. 

Landscape supply professionals can help point you in the right direction if you are unsure about your dirty decisions. It is also important to check if any of your plants require certain sunlight or shading and plant them accordingly. Landscaping and gardening professionals can help you pull everything together to make your garden the talk of the neighborhood!

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220