If your goal is to grow a beautiful and thriving garden, then it is very important that you give some thought to what type of soil you are using. Using the wrong garden soil when planting or maintaining a garden can quickly turn into problems. And that can have the potential to ruin your garden completely.
There are different types and qualities that should be used depending on where you are planting and the types of plants and flowers you are using. Here are some tips for the best types to use for a garden.
For an Outdoor Garden
There are essentially three main types of soil – sand, silt and clay. To create the ideal environment for healthy plants to thrive, you need a rich, sandy loam, which is an even mixture of sand, silt and clay soils. In addition to soil, most gardens will also need compost added in to help it grow successfully. Here’s a list of the different types of soil.
- Sandy – Sand helps to provide stability to soil, but is also the largest particle you will find in soil and does not hold nutrients well.
- Clay – Clay helps to add weight to your soil, but its weight also prevents it from draining well on its own.
- Silt – Silt is light and powdery and helps hold and maintain important nutrients. It needs to be used in a mixture of sand and clay to avoid water-logging plants.
The Difference Between Garden Soil and Topsoil
When referring to soil, you may often hear the terms “garden soil” and “topsoil.” Both play an important role in sustaining a garden, but there are some differences.
- Garden Soil – This is the soil that you find at home improvement stores that is a combination of sand, silt and clay along with various minerals. You’ll notice that there are many different mixes and combinations of garden soil, each targeting a specific type of garden or plant. It’s important to choose the right garden soil based on what it is you’re trying to grow.
- Topsoil – This is the term used to refer to the top layer of soil on the surface of the area where you plan to grow your garden. It is the soil that already exists naturally. Topsoil usually ranges between 5 to 12 inches deep depending on the location and surroundings. It also sells as more of a general purpose soil for landscaping projects.
Knowing whether to use garden soil or topsoil for your garden largely depends on the needs of your garden. There are soil tests you can perform that will tell you what nutrients are lacking in your soil so you know what to add to your garden.
More Questions About Soil For A Garden?
If you are planting a garden and have questions about maintaining it properly, feel free to give ABC Scapes a call at 602-404-0568.