Topsoil is literally the soil on top--the few inches of soil that you see in gardens, lawns and fields. This means that almost any type of soil can qualify as topsoil. more »

People often use the terms "black dirt" and "topsoil" interchangeably. Only topsoil, however, has a fixed, scientific meaning. more »

The important thing to remember when planting vegetation is that good topsoil is essential for successful growing. Topsoil is rich in minerals and nutrients that plants need to grow. Topsoil is the top two to eight inches of soil on the ground. It contains the highest concentration of microorganisms and organic matter. The majority of the Earth's activity involving biological soil occurs in the topsoil. more »

Topsoil is the outer layer of the Earth's crust and is generally considered to be between 2 to 8 inches deep. Topsoil is an integral part of the Earth's surface because most plants get their nutrients from it. Gardeners and landscapers often buy topsoil for garden and landscape projects. Purchasing topsoil helps ensure that plants will have their nutritional needs met. more »

Every year, 1 percent of topsoil is lost due to agriculture and erosion. Poor farming practices can result in unhealthy soil, which leads to lower crop yields and eventually topsoil that needs to be replaced. Erosion of topsoil occurs when small particles of soil are loosened and carried away by water or wind. Fortunately, there are many steps we can take to conserve our precious topsoil. more »

If your garden soil is poor or has been removed during home construction, you can purchase new topsoil ideal for growing plants. Or use topsoil as an ingredient in soil mixes for containers or raised beds. more »

What exactly is topsoil? Why do people pay for topsoil? What is the difference between topsoil and just plain old regular soil? Is there even a difference? The simple answer, though not quite completely true, is that topsoil is the top layer of the soil which has gone through a years-long natural process in which the topsoil gets completely saturated with nutrients creating a soil which is so healthy for plants that people are willing to pay for it. The topsoil soaks up nutrients from grass, leaves, tress, twigs, and many other things that decompose on the soil. When you purchase bags of topsoil, you are paying for this substance which is supposedly loaded with nutrients. This is not always the case, however, since real topsoil is a limited resource. So what is that stuff you buy in bags that you think is topsoil? Here is some information to help you determine that, and even test the topsoil you buy to ensure that it is indeed topsoil. more »

The best types of topsoil is any composted material, consisting of many important nutrients, or potting soil mixes. Mix up a great topsoil to help new growth with plant tips from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening. more »

The Dust Bowl era, when rampant soil erosion caused environmental devastation in America in the 1930s, drove home the importance of topsoil. It was a difficult and painful---even deadly---lesson in the life-giving nature of topsoil. more »