Edward's Environmental Home Improvement Blog

Edward's Environmental Home Improvement Blog

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Top Soil for Your Garden

by Terrence Gregory

When you are planning to plant flowers or vegetables in your yard, it is common to find that the soil in the garden does not have adequate nutrients to support a good yield. In this case, one of the best choices you can make is to buy topsoil from a local supplier. The topsoil sold in the stores is just like what you have in your yard, but it comes with manure and nutrients that will promote overall plant health. However, there is the question of what you should look for as you approach a soil supplier. Are all types of soil the same? Do they have the same nutrient content? This article will teach you some of the critical factors that you should consider when purchasing topsoil for your garden.

Type of the soil

There are various types of soils, and these include loam, sand, and clay soils. The best soil for gardening should be sandy loam with less than 10 percent clay. Clay tends to hold a lot of water, and this can cause the roots of your plants to rot, especially if they don't thrive well in very wet areas. Make sure that the soil has at least 5 percent organic matter as well. It should be crumbly and naturally moist. However, it should not be sticky as to form a hard ball when you mold it in your hand.

The soil's pH

The soil's pH is an essential aspect that should be assessed when choosing topsoil for your yard. pH determines how alkaline or acidic the soil is. Most plants don't thrive in overly acidic soils; therefore, you should ensure that the soil is basic or alkaline. It should have a pH of around 5.5 to 7.5. Anything below or above this range may cause your plants not to produce much yield as expected. To test the soil pH, you can consult with the supplier or seek the services of a soil testing company.

Weed resistance

Weeding is not every gardener's cup of tea, but some soils can come with weeds which will make the task hard for you. Before purchasing soil, ask for a guarantee that the soil is weed free. This means that the soil does not come with weeds which will increase your weeding work. Weeds usually come from the compost that's used to improve the nutrient content of the soil.

Follow these tips to ensure that you get the best topsoil for gardening. Also, make sure that the soil is screened for litter, rocks, and clumps of clay before making the purchase.


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About Me

Edward's Environmental Home Improvement Blog

How are you? My name is Edward and I'd like to kick things off by giving you a warm welcome to my new blog. I started blogging about 5 years ago. Since I started out, I have developed a real passion for putting down my thoughts and feelings on different subjects. The subject I will be talking about on this blog is environmental home improvement work. I recently moved to an older property and decided to bring it into the 21st century by installing some green energy devices. I have learnt lots of cool things from the contractors who carried out the work which I will be sharing with you here.

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