Top soil, quite simply, is the top layer of soil in gardening. It's crucial for all gardening tasks, playing a central role in the biological activity of soil by providing a nutrient-dense medium for plant growth. Composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air, topsoil serves as an essential delivery system for plants, supplying key nutrients and retaining the moisture that roots need to grow. Its primary applications include top-dressing lawns, protecting newly sown seedlings, and filling raised garden beds, especially when nurturing native Australian plants. In essence, topsoil is a garden's silent ally, the foundation of a thriving garden. As you engage in your gardening activities, consider how this invaluable layer of soil could be the key to success in your next project.
In today's post, we're comparing two popular types of topsoil: Screened Topsoil and Blended Topsoil. Each has its unique characteristics and benefits that can enhance your garden's potential.
Screened Top Soil:
Screened Topsoil is a budget-friendly option, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who require large amounts of soil. Our screened topsoil is sourced from local construction projects and excavations and then is thoroughly screened and processed before heading back to store and your garden. The major advantage of Screened Topsoil lies in its cost-effectiveness and versatility. Whether you're embarking on large-scale landscaping projects or building retaining walls, Screened Topsoil can handle the job. Moreover, it's the ideal choice for growing native plants, as it does not contain any added composts or manures, thus preserving the natural integrity of your local ecosystem.
Blended Top Soil:
Blended Topsoil, as the name suggests, is a mix of sandy loam and clay loam, combining the best characteristics of these two soils. This mix creates an optimal environment for plants, offering high nutrient content, excellent drainage, and resistance to drought.
Composition Comparison:
Blended Top Soil:
• Nutrient Content: The combination of sandy and clay soils provides a nutrient-rich environment for plants.
• Good Drainage: The sandy soil component allows quick water passage, preventing root rot and waterlogging.
• Drought Tolerance: Clay soil's moisture-retaining ability enhances drought resistance.
• Wide Plant Support: The balanced nature of the blended soil supports a variety of plants.
• Improved Soil Structure: Organic matter addition lessens soil density, making it easier to work with.
• Resilience: Sandy soils resist compaction better than clay soils, maintaining their structure under heavy traffic.
• Improved Water and Nutrient Retention: The blend retains water and nutrients better than sandy soil alone, whilst maintaining good drainage.
Screened Top Soil:
- Cost-Effective: An economical option for large-scale projects requiring substantial soil amounts.
- Versatile: Suitable for a variety of uses, including large-scale landscaping, backfilling, and retaining wall construction.
- Ideal for Native Plants: Perfect for those aiming to preserve the natural integrity of their local ecosystem, as it contains no added composts or manures.
Usage Comparison:
Blended Top Soil: Perfect for Nutrient-Rich, Premium Projects
- Planting native plants: With its high nutrient content, Blended Topsoil gives native plants the rich environment they need to flourish.
- Gardening: Its balanced nature and easy-to-work-with properties make it perfect for gardeners who require a premium soil.
- Planting a variety of plants: Given its ability to support a wide variety of plants, Blended Topsoil is a superior choice for diverse plantings.
- Projects requiring improved soil structure: If your project requires an improved soil structure, the addition of organic matter in Blended Topsoil makes it less dense and easier to work with.
- Where good drainage and water retention is needed: Blended Topsoil, with its sandy and clay soil mix, is optimal for maintaining good drainage and water retention, essential for successful plant growth
Screened Top Soil: Ideal for Large-scale, Cost-effective Projects
- Landscaping large areas: The economic pricing of Screened Topsoil makes it a smart choice for substantial landscaping projects where budget is a factor.
- Backfilling: It's a cost-effective solution for backfilling in construction or landscaping due to its bulk availability and budget pricing.
- Building retaining walls: Screened Topsoil, being budget-friendly, is an excellent choice for large projects like constructing retaining walls.
- Groundwork for native plant gardens: If you're looking to create a native plant garden, Screened Topsoil is a great, no-frills option as it doesn't have any additional composts or manures added.
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a professional landscaper, Daisy's Garden Supplies is committed to providing the best possible products and services for all your garden and landscaping needs. Explore our wide range of top soil and let us help you transform your outdoor space today.
About the Authors
Harley Thompson
Harley is a second-generation journalist with a passion for gardening and a keen eye for detail. Currently studying a double degree of Commerce and International relations at Monash University, Harley loves learning new things. He specialises in creating engaging content about garden advice, using experience in store, with our team and customers. His writing blends his academic knowledge with practical experience, offering informative and inspiring articles.
Greg Fitzgerald
Greg Fitzgerald is a qualified horticulturalist with more than 30 years in the industry and 16 years at Daisy's Garden Supplies. He manages production and procurement for all our products, ensuring high-quality gardens and landscapes for our customers. His vast experience and qualification in horticulture make him a key asset to Daisy's. He offers valuable insights and a wealth of knowledge in terms of mulches, soils, pebbles and rocks, composts and many other products.