How to Buy Bagged Topsoil

Topsoil is literally the upper portion of the ground, and it is critical that it be fertile for plants and flowers to thrive. If your topsoil is not desirable, you can purchase new topsoil to add to the planting location. Topsoil is sold in bulk for large installations and in bags for smaller uses. When buying bagged topsoil, there are some things to look for to ensure it is good.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Determine how many bags of topsoil you need by multiplying the length of the installation area by the width, and then dividing the number by 12. This gives you the number of cubic feet you need for a 1-inch layer. Divide the result by the number of cubic feet in each bag to determine the number of bags you need.

2. Ask the garden center or landscape professional to open a bag of the topsoil so you can examine it. If you cannot visually inspect the soil, do not buy it.

3. Look at the surface of the soil to ensure there are no rocks or pieces of bark larger than 3 inches in diameter. Large chunks of matter means the soil was not sifted properly, and should be avoided.

4. Pick up a handful of the topsoil, and squeeze your hand into a fist. Release your fist, and examine the consistency of the soil. If it holds together very tightly, avoid it, since it is mostly clay. If it falls apart almost instantly, also avoid it, because it is mostly sand. The best soil stays together in a clump, but crumbles when you touch it.

5. Read the ingredients on the bag to ensure that the topsoil contains at least 2 percent organic matter, but no more than 10 percent.

6. Examine the color of the soil, which should be medium to dark brown, but not black. Black soil is highly acidic, because it is taken from bogs and marsh environments.

References

• University of Connecticut; Purchasing Topsoil; Dawn Pettinelli, et al.
• Washington State University; Math for Gardeners; Joan Helbacka; Sept. 15, 2002