Do I Really Need Some Topsoil At All?

Topsoil is one of those things that many people don’t really think about. Unlike other aspects of gardening, like discussing the prize onions at the local country show, topsoil doesn’t hold the same interest as a topic.

Topsoil is actually a fascinating subject and should become the darling of any gardening chat. What makes topsoil so interesting are two things.

The most important fact is that without topsoil, we would need to fight for our survival with every living being here on earth.

Without a topsoil of good quality it becomes ever more tricky for the gardener to grow the best plants and veg. Whether a gardener needs new topsoil will depend on how well the existing soil has been looked after.

The main things to look for in your topsoil is the texture because this will give away the amount of organic matter that has been assimilated into the overall topsoil composition. Your topsoil’s texture should resemble a crumbling feel that’s not sticky, but is easy to break up and feels damp to the touch proving that it has water retention qualities.

Testing the texture can often lead to needing to make the topsoil richer by adding organic matter to it. Digging in animal manure combines with plenty of straw will ensure that the topsoil stays rich – dig it in and leave it over the winter to break-up inside the soil.

Some topsoil however will not improve no matter how much you add quality enhancers, and when this is the case, it’s time to buy new topsoil.

Topsoil suppliers should meet the highest standards of production to avoid contamination and the standards set out in British regulation can ensure this happens.