What makes up topsoil

The soil composition is made up of minerals, water, organic matter and air. Here is the typical 'healthy soil' make up:. Topsoil is the top layer of earth A-horizon , beneath the humus living or organic surface and above the clay subsoil. It is this layer that is removed during excavation of virgin, greenfield sites and where our topsoil stock pile comes from.

This virgin, peat free, topsoil is sourced only from Greenfield sites - NOT recycled from skips like many others online - meaning you only have safe, clean topsoil in your beds, borders, lawns and veg plots. Once our topsoil has been brought into our manufacturing and processing yard on the border of North Wales, near Chester, it is left to fallow for a number of years. In order to for plants, turf and veg to grow topsoil must comprise of a certified combination of minerals, nutrients, water, organic matter, air, and living organisms.

As this mix can be hard to achieve naturally the British Standard for Topsoil was introduced to ensure home owners, gardeners, landscapers, contractors and specifiers have a point of reference to enable them to purchase and spread a safe and tested product. Here at Dandy's our stock piles are regularly tested to meet the British Standard for Topsoil. The pH of our topsoil is neutral 7.

At Dandy's we screen to about 14mm so that we leave stones of just under an inch down in there - just to make sure that the soil stays nice and free draining. Why do we screen the topsoil? As seen in this video clip the topsoil can contain large stone and sometimes debris so this is what we remove using our amazing Maximus screener Once our primary topsoil has been left to fallow, tested and screened it is ready for us to create our famous bespoke mixes; a secret blend depending on what you plan to do with it.

Check out everything we do here. This sandy loam is just the job for putting underneath turf or for sowing with grass seed, helping you to create the perfect garden lawn, golf course, paddock, or sports pitch. Nutrients Nitrogen Required for the growth of leaves and stems, its deficiency causes weak, stunted growth and yellowing of older leaves.

Phosphorous Principle nutrient for root growth and development, deficiencies may be seen through stunted root systems whilst the leaves on some plants may also exhibit a dull green or purple coloration.

Organic Matter Organic matter consists of living organisms and is very important to soil function and plant growth as it influences soil structure and hence aeration, drainage and root growth , water-holding capacity and soil fertility. Leaching The removal of materials in solution from the soil, often as a result of excessive rainfall.

There are two grades: Multipurpose grade. Specific Purpose. Topsoil suppliers are required to provide a Declaration of Analysis to include:. All purchasers and users of topsoil should ask their topsoil supplier for a copy of the following:. Topsoil Terminology What is soil structure? What is a soil profile? Why is structure important? What is compaction? What are the different soil types? What toxic elements do you need to look for in your soil? What nutrients are in the soil?

Think of it as providing your plants with all-natural vitamins that help them reach their full potential. Erosion normally occurs after heavy rainfall. Your landscaping ecosystem is probably very delicate already, and adding erosion into the equation can certainly lead to big problems. It can help you prevent erosion on your property by improving the composition of the soil.

If you find yourself dealing with erosion on your property, head over to Cal Blend Soils to get some high-quality topsoil.

Another huge benefit of using topsoil in your landscaping endeavors is that it will improve the quality of the soil. The nutrients and microorganisms in topsoil are exactly what your plants need to reach their full potential.

Your plants will be able to absorb more water, soak up nutrients, and benefit from overall better soil quality if you lay down topsoil. It makes sense to explore topsoil even if you think your soil quality is good. If you need any help with soil testing or topsoil, reach out to Cal Blend Soils today. The last benefit of using topsoil in your landscaping is that you can decrease the chances of plant diseases. This is because topsoil contains thousands of tiny microbes.

Due to its extremely high concentration of microorganisms and decaying organic matter, topsoil usually is darker than subsoil, which is the soil below topsoil. Most plant root systems are concentrated in the top 2 to 8 inches of topsoil and need worms, insects and other organisms present in topsoil to provide nutrients. For retail and gardening purposes, topsoil also has been called many names, such as amended topsoil, native topsoil, organic topsoil, manufactured topsoil and sandy loam.

Gardeners wanting to use bulk or bagged topsoil as a means of improving soil's performance for increased plant growth should note that topsoil is too dense to be used alone and should be tested before use.

Bagged topsoil should be incorporated into the native soil to help increase water movement and drainage, which prevents plants from receiving too much water. Performing tests for soil acidity, porosity and nutrient retention can determine whether or not the soil is conducive to optimal plant growth.