If you want hearty vegetables and colorful flowers, topsoil provides the nutrients to make it happen. While there are various brands on the market, the selection typically comes down to screened versus unscreened. Both have distinct benefits for producing lush lawns and beautiful landscaping. Here is a helpful guide on when to use screened and unscreened topsoil.

Screened

Growing New Lawns

With this processing method, topsoil is screened through mesh to create specific particle sizes and remove pebbles, twigs, roots, and other debris. The soil’s fine texture makes it ideal for new lawns because roots have ample room to sprout. The particle sizes also provide proper drainage channels for water flow.

Planting Gardens

Flower and vegetable gardens are also perfect candidates for screened topsoil. The consistent texture allows water and nutrients to naturally penetrate to the bottom soil layer. For extra nutrients, screened topsoil can be mixed with fertilizer, compost, and potting soils.

Unscreened

Filling Holes

Small and large soil particles are the foundation of unscreened topsoil. Unlike its screened counterpart, this type is likely to contain pieces of roots, weeds, pebbles, and other debris. As a result, its texture is dense enough to fill holes in landscaping. The material can also be easily compacted to support filled-in spaces.

Raising Beds

Unscreened topsoil is also a natural support system for raising landscaping beds. The coarse material can lift a bed that is not receiving adequate sunlight. If plants or flowers will be planted in the bed, an additional layer of screened topsoil is needed for nutrients and water to reach the roots.

Screened and unscreened topsoil have unique benefits. If you’re unsure about which type to use, Syracusa Sand & Gravel in Victor, NY, is your trusted resource. The locally owned stone supplier uses state-of-the-art equipment to process topsoil on site. From gravel products to washed stone, count on the team of specialists for all of your landscaping and gardening needs. The regional provider works with everyone from large contractors to DIY fanatics. Call (585) 924-7146 with your questions about topsoil. Visit the website for information on products and services, including materials for gravel driveways.