 These days I've been doing more playing in the dirt. Besides the compost pile, I've been transplanting flowers, digging holes, filling wheelbarrows, piling rocks, fertilizing vegetables.....and other "farmery tasks". I've been facing decisions about what kind of dirt to use for different jobs. Is it really necessary to spend all that money on potting soil? How about top soil? Can I use some of the dirt from out in the field or the woods? Do I need "clean fill" for leveling out the yard? What kind of "dirt" is in dirty fill? These are the questions I've pondered....and this is what I've found.... what is topsoil? True topsoil is the uppermost portion of the ground beneath our feet. It contains organic matter that gives it the typical darker color. Its structure makes it easier to cultivate and better able to absorb water. Its higher level of biological activity, insects, and microorganisms, reduces compaction, and increases soil health. The earth below the topsoil contains more sand, clay, and lime. This subsoil tends to be compacted, fast draining, and difficult to till. This makes it less ideal for gardening, although it can be amended to improve plant growth. what is potting soil? Potting Soil and Potting Mix are terms which are used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Potting soil may or may not contain soil, while potting mix is strictly a soilless medium. Potting mix is sterile, which makes it safer for plants because it doesn't contain pathogens such as fungus or other diseases. what is the best soil for plants?The health of plants is influenced by the soil that they grow in. There are significant benefits to putting potted plants in potting soil rather than topsoil.  Potting soil and topsoil are made from very different materials. Potting soil is usually composed of bark, compost, moss, perlite (A volcanic glass used as a soil amendment, which is helps prevent soil compaction.), and vermiculite (A mineral which retains water and is used as a soil amendment.) Potting soil doesn't have any actual dirt in it at all. That's because dirt can contain fungi and other elements that can damage potted plants. Potting soil and potting mix are expensive compared to topsoil. That's because topsoil is naturally occurring. It is simply taken from the surface of the earth. It has no added nutritive ingredients that plants need to thrive.  You can use topsoil for potted plants, but that doesn't mean you should. A plant potted in topsoil probably won't get the nutrients it needs, won't grow at a fast rate, and may die sooner than one planted in potting soil.  When a plant is in a pot, its root systems don't have the opportunity to branch out and seek the nutrients they need, as do the roots of plants that have been grown on the surface of the earth. A potted plant’s growth may be disappointing if only topsoil is used in the pot. Potting soil is so much more expensive because it has other ingredients.
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AuthorGertrude Katz has spent over 30 years teaching K-12 public school students all major subjects. She has taught biology and education at the college level. The majority of her career has been spent instructing biology at the secondary level. Categories
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