Topsoil-What type of topsoil should you buy?

Topsoil is generally used for two main purposes. The first use for basic topsoil is for seeding and sodding. The second use is plant mix for planting. It is important for topsoil to have organic matter & microorganisms. Topsoil could be purchased either screened or unscreened.

Screened Topsoil puts the topsoil materials through a screening process which will eliminate the stones or aggregate materials that may be in the topsoil. Screened topsoil may be more expensive to buy because off this additional process.

Unscreened Topsoil may include some materials including stone or aggregate materials. Unscreened topsoil may cost a little less because it does not have to go through the topsoil screening process. Topsoil prices vary depending on the region in where you reside, usually topsoil is priced by the quantity of topsoil ordered and the delivery charge to your destination.

Topsoil requirements may vary from state to state, for instance NJ Topsoil must be approved or certified DEP quality. If you buy topsoil in NJ, be sure to verify that it is DEP approved.

Topsoil.

Topsoil defined by wikipedia; Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, usually the top 2 to 6 inches. Topsoil has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms, and is where most of the Earth's biological soil activity occurs. Plants generally concentrate their roots in, and obtain most of their nutrients from this layer of top soil. The actual depth of the topsoil layer can be measured as the depth from the surface to the first densely packed soil layer known as hardpan. As one of the layers of soil on the Earth's surface, topsoil is sometimes referred to as the A horizon. This layer is formed from the deposition of eroded material as well as decaying organic matter. A variety of soil mixtures are sold commercially as topsoil, usually for use in improving gardens and lawns, or for ideal growing conditions in container gardens, by using potting soil, for example. A major environmental concern known as topsoil erosion occurs when the topsoil layer is blown or washed away. Without topsoil, little plant life is possible. It takes approximately 500 years for one inch of topsoil to be deposited, but there is 25 billion tons of topsoil lost each year.