So What is Topsoil?
Topsoil is the very uppermost part of the earth’s surface and is only around 2-12 inches thick. Topsoil is formed when rocks become altered over many years, causing them to break down into very small parts due to weathering or chemicals. As this process occurs other organic matter that naturally occurs on the earth’s surface, for example, dead animals, leaves and other vegetation become mixed into it which means that when the topsoil is formed (which can take over 100 years). The soil contains a great many organic nutrients and minerals which support life. Often people add other materials such as manure to topsoil to make it even more fertile and so it can be used for multiple purposes.
Topsoil has become increasingly difficult to cultivate in recent years as pollution can often contaminate the soil and the slow process needed for it to form. This means it has become increasingly important to monitor how much topsoil gets removed from the earth’s surface intentionally and used for commercial purposes.
What is topsoil used for?
Topsoil is widely used in gardening and is very efficient in helping to improve the quality of soil on a particular patch of land. It can also be used to level out uneven ground or lawns. Using topsoil on your land or in your garden will provide plants and flowers with the right kind of nutrients needed to flourish. If the existing soil in your garden is poor then covering it with a layer of topsoil should allow anything you plant to grow well. The rich soil is packed with good nutrients, minerals from rock and sand, and organic matter from decayed plants and animals, which will provide a source of food for your plants and allow them to take root.
What is screened topsoil?
There are plenty of variations of different types of topsoil which are used for different purposes, generally however, they are usually divided into two different categories; screened and unscreened.
Screened topsoil is created using a specific process where the soil is filtered through different sized meshes when it is being made. Customers can choose how fine or chunky they want the topsoil to be, for instance choosing between particle sizes of say 3/4 inch or 5/8 inch and so on. The benefit of screened topsoil is that is is a consistent size which allows for optimum water flow and distribution of essential nutrients which will keep your garden healthy.
Unscreened topsoil does not go through the meshing process and therefore tends to be coarser and more uneven, because of this it is therefore a cheaper alternative, however doesn’t provide the same quality and benefits as the screened topsoil does.
How and where to buy topsoil
At Bury Hill we have a large selection of different topsoil’s, suitable for all purposes. Remember to do your research beforehand and understand which kind will work best for your needs. If you are using topsoil to lay a new lawn you will need at least a 4 inch layer all over, and if you are planting new beds you will need at least 8 inches of topsoil to ensure optimum growth. Use our topsoil calculator to work out home much topsoil you need for your gardening project.
If you have any questions about any of our topsoil’s, please feel free to give us a call. We have different grades of topsoil, Premium grade topsoil which is the most expensive but will not contain any weed seeds and is extremely fertile. We also have a Bury Hill General purpose topsoil, which is a standard topsoil and commonly used for beds and lawns.