The Dirty Truth: The Source Matters
Dirt is dirt, right? WRONG!
There is a lot of quality control one should put into their top soil or you can end up with a less than satisfactory product. Buying your soil from the wrong source can stand the chance of it being full of things you do not want to see in your garden such as weeds. Yes, the dreaded plants all of us hate to see can be lurking in your purchase. That is why it is important to be aware of what you are buying and from who. Here is a brief rundown so you can ensure you have the information that you need.
Topsoil
Topsoil and fill dirt are NOT the same.
Topsoil is the rich, dark, pleasantly smelly layer of earth that typically covers the top 6-8 inches of undisturbed ground. The smell comes from a wealth of organic matter containing billions of healthy microbes that plants love.
Fill dirt, on the other hand, has only one use — filling holes. It’s usually sterile, compacted, heavy clay that lies under the topsoil. It’s good for growing nothing.
Manure
Cow, horse, and sheep manure start out as grass and other plants. The digestive systems of these animals allow seeds to pass right through in mint condition. So never use bulk manure that hasn’t been properly composted for a year to kill the weeds.
Mulch
As with topsoil, buy from a local supplier you know. Bulk mulch such as shredded hardwood and ground pine bark should have far fewer weed seeds than soil because it didn’t start out on the ground. So just inspect it to make sure it doesn’t contain any leaves, stems, or vegetative matter. Make sure it’s been composted for a year too because fresh mulch will rob the soil of nitrogen as microbes break it down. DON’T buy mulch made from shredded pallets, pressure-treated lumber, or scrap wood. These could contain harmful chemicals or destructive insects, such as termites and borers.
