How to Create a Good Top Soil Blend
Healthy topsoil is essential for maintaining a healthy and thriving lawn and garden. Healthy topsoil has a healthy balance of minerals, is regularly watered and is loose enough to provide adequate circulation of air and oxygen. Topsoil is kept healthy simply by the existence of plant and microbial life in and on the soil. New topsoil or topsoil that is out of condition or neglected can be blended with other matter to bolster, restore and rejuvenate the soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Dig up about 12 inches of topsoil and place it all in one mound.
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Sift through the soil to remove any rocks or other foreign matter.
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Analyze the sand, clay and silt content of your soil. There should be approximately equal parts of each. If the soil is hard and sticky-wet, there is too much clay. If the soil is powdery and compacts very easily, there is too much silt. If the clay does not clump at all and is very grainy, there is too much sand.
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Have the soil tested to determine the pH as well as the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content. You can find soil testers at your local extension office or garden supply store. Follow the instructions for how to test your soil as well as how to read the results and assess the levels.
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Mix 25 percent compost into the soil.
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Add additional elements based on your visual analysis and soil test. If your soil is high in clay, add extra compost or peat moss and sand. If your soil is high in clay and/or sand, also add extra compost. If you have a high pH, add sulfur. If you have a low pH, add lime. If you have low nitrogen, add manure or nitrogen fertilizer. If you have low phosphorous, add superphosphate or bone meal. If you have low potassium, add potash or wood ashes.
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Mix the blended top soil thoroughly. Spray lightly with water as you are mixing to dampen the soil.
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