Universal to every landscaper and homeowner who takes an interest in their landscape is a constant search for a leg up. This could be a new landscape installation that improves the look of your property or a tool that makes a once tedious task efficient and easy. It could even be an additive to your landscape that adds nutrients or somehow improves the health of your green material, plants, and turf. A prime example of this is fertilizer, which inserts otherwise hard-to-gather nutrients into your landscape, in a simple and easy way. However, our topic of discussion today will be compost and topsoil. Both fall in a similar category, both are important to healthy gardens. Topsoil is exactly what it sounds like, the top layer of soil that we walk upon, while compost is a combination of decomposing organic matter that adds nutrients to the soil. Both can be beneficial, and here is everything you need to know about the two.
How Topsoil and Compost Interact
Soil is divided into multiple layers, with a different makeup in each layer. The uppermost layer of your soil is made up of dead organic material, such as thatch or leaves. This is the inevitable composition of the top layer, and although it may not sound good, this organic material provides much-needed nutrients. Typically, compost will be placed atop of this layer, as compost is made up of a combination of dead organic matter. However, the layer below is where the root structures of your turf and plants spread, also known as the topsoil. This is the uppermost layer of the actual soil itself. Topsoil is not necessarily good or bad, the term just refers to the top layer of soil. This is why buying high-quality topsoil is so vital to a healthy landscape. Topsoil requires organic matter as an essential nutrient and compost contains organic matter. Thus, both compost and topsoil should ideally be used in tandem, for the best growth potential.
Topsoil and Compost: Use and Benefits
With our previous discussion of how topsoil and compost are used in conjunction with one another, we wanted to point out our staple product here at Nature’s Mulch. We specialize in topsoil, and in our signature blends: “Nature’s Garden Magic” and “Nature’s Topsoil” we ensure that compost and other beneficial additives are already a part of the blend. Allowing you to avoid the hassle of mixing it yourself, our experts have created the ideal combination for healthy soil. Nature’s Topsoil can be applied in bulk, while our Garden Magic is more tailored for gardens and plant beds. Topsoil is an amazing base layer for any new growth, improving nutrient retention while preventing harmful soil erosion. Compost improves all of the natural processes already occurring in your soil, decreasing the need for chemical fertilizers. Used in combination with one another, topsoil and compost can become best friends with your landscape.
When to Utilize Topsoil and Compost
The best times to add topsoil and compost to your landscape are when you are adding something new, whether that be a plant, tree, or garden. Topsoil and compost can add a much-needed boost to new material. This also rings true for establishing new turf, as high-quality soil can make all of the difference. Poor soil and texture due to weather conditions, or simply the nature of your location can all be overridden with the simple addition of topsoil and compost. Our experts at Nature’s Mulch can be of even more help when consulting you in person on your new landscaping project, and the use of topsoil within it.