For pot plants, we usually buy soil in bags.
But for garden work, we need a large amount of soil, so most people buy it in bulk.
Garden topsoil can usually be purchased from places called landscape supply.
Some places allow you to visit and buy soil by the bucket.
Others sell it in larger amounts, usually starting from half a yard (0.5 yard) or more.
If you don’t have a truck or trailer, you can also order delivery.
Even with the delivery fee, bulk soil is usually much cheaper than bagged soil if you need a large amount.
Why Are There Different Types of Topsoil?
When you visit a soil yard, you will notice there are several types of soil.
Most places sell at least two kinds, and some sell four or five types.
So which one should you choose?
The two most common types are:
- Garden Blend (for planting beds)
- Turf Blend (for lawns)
The reason there are different types is because the soil mix is different depending on the purpose.
Most topsoil is dark in color because it contains black peat.
Suppliers mix peat, sand, and compost in different ratios depending on how the soil will be used.
Turf Blend (Topsoil for Lawns)
Turf blend usually contains more sand.
Grass grows better in soil with good drainage.
When water drains quickly, grass roots grow deeper to find water, which makes the lawn stronger and healthier.
Sometimes people use garden blend soil for lawns because they don’t know the difference.
Grass will still grow at first.
But after some time, the lawn may become soft and muddy, and the roots stay shallow.
The lawn may also become more vulnerable to pests, such as European chafer beetle damage.
Garden Blend (Topsoil for Planting Beds)
Using turf blend in gardens is usually not a good idea.
It contains too much sand, which means nutrients wash away quickly.
This creates poor growing conditions for many plants.
Some plants need excellent drainage, but in a typical garden many different plants grow together.
That is why garden blend, which has a more balanced mix of sand and organic matter, is usually the better choice.
When You Only Need More Nutrients
If your existing garden soil or vegetable bed already has enough soil but needs more nutrients, you do not need topsoil.
Instead, you can simply add compost.
Over time, the compost in topsoil slowly disappears.
Rain washes nutrients away, and plants absorb them.
However, sand stays in the soil for a very long time.
Because of this, the original soil mix slowly changes over time.
Adding compost occasionally can help restore nutrients.
Soil for Vegetable Gardens
If you are starting a vegetable garden, you can begin with garden blend topsoil, or mix it with extra compost.
Later, when you need to add more soil, you can simply add compost.
People who grow vegetables often notice that the soil level slowly goes down over time.
This happens because organic materials break down.
If the soil level has not dropped much, you can use fertilizer.
But if the soil level has dropped a lot, it is better to add compost to rebuild the soil.
Written by Andy Lee
Owner of Andy’s Landscape Inc. – Landscape Contractor in Maple Ridge, BC