Topsoil is a precious resource, and it takes 100 years to make an inch naturally. This essential substance helps to grow 95% of the world’s food, and it can also be used in home landscaping to create ideal conditions for your flowerbeds and trees to thrive. Here’s more information about topsoil and how you can make the best use of it.

What Is It?

Topsoil is the first five to six inches of the ground’s surface, and it’s darker than the material beneath it. It’s created when organic matter, like dead leaves and worms, decomposes in the soil. These additives offer nutrients to plants and encourage growth.

Clay versions have small particles that adhere to one another and hold onto moisture for longer periods, making them ideal for water-thirsty plants. Sandy topsoil contains larger rock particles and works better for plants that don’t need a lot of water, like succulents and cacti. A mix of these two types is known as loam, and this variety caters to most plants and is commonly used in landscaping.

What Can I Use It For?

Homeowners who are interested in filling in holes should opt for regular dirt as it’s less expensive, and the project doesn’t require extra nutrients. If you’re adding landscaping, like flowerbeds, raised food plots, or grass, to the yard, use topsoil to help the greenery thrive. 

If you’re tackling a full backyard project, truck in new topsoil to cover the areas you intend to plant. Then, follow the fertilizing and watering practices catered to the greenery you’re growing. Over time, you may need to refresh the topsoil to reestablish optimal growing conditions, such as alkalinity and nutrient levels.

If you’d like to use topsoil in your home garden, contact the helpful team at Sanford’s Service Center in Pahoa, HI. Since 1977, these specialists have supplied Big Island residents with quality topsoil, even providing delivery to their homes. View their products online, or call (808) 965-8144 to place an order.