It’s easy to get dirt and soil confused. They both look the same, right? Believe it or not, though, they are not the same, and keeping that in mind will make all the difference in the world when it comes to caring for your lawn or garden. An easy way to think of it is that dirt is dead, while soil is alive.
Take a closer look at the ground
- Soil contains a variety of nutrients and organisms that are beneficial to plants. Some of these ingredients include: microorganisms, minerals, gases, liquids, insects, earthworms, and other types of organic material. All of this works together to keep the soil alive and nutritious for plants.
- Dirt is any type of unclean matter that usually isn’t alive in any sort of fashion. Dirt lacks any of the nutrients that help to sustain life that can be found in soil. On the plus side, organic matter can be added to dirt in order to revitalize it and turn it into soil. However, simply planting in dirt alone is unlikely to yield very positive results. This is because mere dirt lacks the nutrients and other ingredients needed to help plants both grow and thrive.
Why do they keep saying “topsoil”?
- Topsoil is the outermost layer of soil that you can see on the ground – generally the top two to eight inches. Of all the types of soil, topsoil is packed with the highest concentration of nutrients and microorganisms. Most plants concentrate their roots in this layer so they can benefit from the immense amount of nutrients found there. Typically, this is the type of soil you’re going to want when preparing your garden or lawn.
So how do you know what kind of topsoil you want? Well, the best types of topsoil come with many key components. You’re looking for a pH level of about 5.8 to 6.2 as well as many included nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper. The quality of your lawn is tied to the quality of your topsoil, so always get the highest quality you can.
Remember: topsoil is what keeps your lawn and garden healthy. If something happens to it – for example, if it is blown or washed away – this can quickly lead to a malnourished lawn. If your lawn isn’t looking the way you would like it to, then eroded topsoil is a likely culprit. Fortunately, this can be reversed with a new layer of topsoil.
In Mississauga and the surrounding area, there’s only one place to buy the quality topsoil your lawn deserves. Let Lane’s Landscaping Supplies help with all of your landscaping needs, including getting the right topsoil for your lawn or garden. Our topsoil is of superb quality, so you know that you’re getting a product that both you and your plants are going to love. We also provide the mulch you need to hold the topsoil in place and reduce water evaporation.
When it comes to landscaping, Lane’s Landscaping Supplies has everything you need to make the land around your property absolutely stunning. Stop by our location or contact us online today to request a quote. We’re here for you and your lawn, so say hello – we can’t wait to meet you.
