How To Tell If Commercial Topsoil is Healthy

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Topsoil is the topmost layer of the earth’s surface; normally, no deeper than about eight inches.  Its unique combination of decayed organic matter creates a nutrient and mineral-rich environment that is necessary for plants to grow.

It can be hard to find naturally, especially in urban areas, so commercial topsoil has become popular with gardeners looking to improve their garden or lawn soil.  You can find this at your local landscape supply cent but be sure to check the soil carefully when buying.

Many states don’t enforce regulations regarding what constitutes topsoil.  In these cases, manufacturers may use sand, manure, or sawdust mixtures instead and foreign objects like rocks, weeds, seeds or even harsh chemical traces could interfere with your own plants’ health.

Unhealthy topsoil is grayish, dry, and crumbly but you can’t always depend on just your eyes.  Some manufacturers will combine wood ashes with poor soil to give it the rich, dark color of a healthy mix.   So you need to learn as much as you can about the mix before purchasing it.

Try examining the soil for rocks or large roots or anything overly hard.  Feel it for moisture – it should have a crumbly texture.  You’ll also want to smell it.  Topsoil has a natural, earthy smell and any foreign  chemical scent will be obvious.

If you’re buying from a gardening or landscape supply center, you can ask for test data of the topsoil.  You’ll want to see information about the pH, acidity, and the amount of clay or sand in it.  An acceptable mix will have a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 and be labeled loam or sandy loam.  This is important since sandy soil won’t hold water and minerals and clay won’t allow proper drainage.