Posted on 21st August 2020 by Hintons
Looking to lay new turf? Or are you trying to cultivate a new area for planting trees, flowers and shrubs? Whatever the reason you’re seeking advice on soil types, your two main options are topsoil or compost.
It’s important to make sure you get the best material for your needs, so this month, at Hinton’s Waste, we’re going to walk you through both types to help steer you to whichever is best for your project – starting with the difference between topsoil and compost.
What’s the difference between topsoil and compost?
Both compost and topsoil are used for providing nutrients and for growing or filling in parts of a garden, but they can have slightly different uses.
The main reason for the difference is that topsoil is a more well-rounded soil option because of both the nutrients and structure it offers for plants. It’s called topsoil because, under your lawn, one of the first layers you’ll hit is the “top” part of the soil. When compared with compost, a drier, softer substance, topsoil can retain more water and may come with more natural debris depending on the screening quality.
Should I use compost or topsoil?
The decision to use compost or topsoil really rests with you, it’s better to think about what you’re trying to achieve and which soil will offer the best results.
You can always seek professional advice from a soil and aggregates provider, but a quick rule of thumb is that if you’re filling in a large plot of land, or are seeking to give existing plants, shrubs and trees some space, then topsoil is best. Pure compost should be reserved for potted plants or flowers, as it can offer the quick burst of nutrients without needing to bed in with existing surroundings.
Can I mix both topsoil and compost?
Compost can dry out quite quickly, so mixing it with topsoil is a great way to provide balanced bedding for plants and flowers. You get the best of both worlds with a mixture since topsoil will offer a robust home for roots with plenty of water, while compost will provide a boost of nutrients.
There are, however, certain projects which will benefit more from one than the other if you can’t afford compost or you need to fill a large area.
Projects which better suit topsoil
Since topsoil contains its own nutrients but is often cheaper than compost, there are some projects which suit topsoil better, these include:
- Laying large patches of turf
- Sowing seeds for new turf
- Filling in large areas of bedding
- Filling in borders
- Levelling off parts of a garden
- For raised beds of plants or vegetables
Projects which better suit compost
Packed with nutrients, but unable to retain much water or hard structure, compost is ideal for small purposes:
- Small plants in need of a boost
- Potted plants
As you can see, topsoil is a far more versatile material, so while both have their uses, for anything beyond potting or small plants, topsoil is a more cost-effective and durable material for a garden project beyond a single plant or pot.
For a reliable, competitively priced topsoil provider in Croydon, Sutton and London, look no further than Hinton’s Waste. We’ll help you get the right topsoil for the job – regardless of the size of your project – ensuring your garden gets off to the best possible start. Whether you’re a homeowner or a property developer, call our team today for more details on swift, professional topsoil delivery.
FAQs
Compost can dry out quite quickly, so mixing it with topsoil is a great way to provide balanced bedding for plants and flowers. You get the best of both worlds with a mixture since topsoil will offer a robust home for roots with plenty of water, while compost will provide a boost of nutrients.
Should I use compost or topsoil? ›
Whilst compost has more nutrients than topsoil, topsoil isn't without its advantages. Topsoil is far better at retaining its structure and holds much needed moisture far longer than compost. It is also generally cheaper.
What is better than topsoil? ›
Difference in Composition
Garden soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, while topsoil is primarily made up of sand, silt, and clay. This means that garden soil is typically more nutrient-rich, while topsoil may need to be supplemented with additional nutrients for plants to thrive.
Should I top dress my lawn with compost or topsoil? ›
How to Add Top Dressing to My Lawn. In the spring, apply 0.25–0.5 inches of top dressing after mowing your lawn low with compost, sand or topsoil. The best choice depends on your current soil and issues. Compost is a great all around option for both helping with drainage and providing organic material.
What is the difference between compost and dirt and soil? ›
Compost is not soil. In fact, it lacks the structure needed for plants to build a strong root system. Instead, compost is considered a soil amendment. It is decomposed organic matter that is rich in microorganisms and nutrients.
Can I mix compost and topsoil together? ›
You can mix compost with topsoil to create your own potting compost, as many of the nurseries do, which gives you the advantages of soil – namely that it dries out more slowly and holds its structure better – together with the benefits of compost – organic matter and more nutrients, a compost made with loam or soil is ...
Does grass grow better in compost or topsoil? ›
If you're trying to grow a thick, lush carpet of grass, both topsoil and compost can be effective. Either one can be used to address bald spots in your lawn, by adding two to three inches' worth of topsoil or compost to the area and incorporating it into the existing soil to encourage grass growth over time.
What is the cheapest material to fill a hole with? ›
Fill dirt is one of the most affordable materials for construction and landscaping that is available on the market. You'll find that it is easy to assemble the volume of dirt that you need at a price you can afford.
What is the best fill dirt for a yard? ›
The Best Fill Dirt For Leveling A Yard
Experts recommend topdressing the yard using friable soil, which is a mixture of top soil and sand.
Can I use topsoil to grow vegetables? ›
If you are gardening, you will want to avoid thicker topsoils that retain water very well – it's true that all plants need water, but thicker topsoils will not allow for much air to reach the roots of the plant. Topsoils with a loamy texture are great for gardening because they are easy to till and promote airflow.
You can topdress with compost at any time when the ground is not frozen, but if you topdress right after aerating a lawn, you will see even better results. Another great time to topdress with compost is when overseeding a lawn. Applying compost and seeds at the same time will improve germination and moisture retention.
What is the best manure for your lawn? ›
Poultry manure is a great, nutrient rich fertiliser for your lawn. All lawn types, including Buffalo, Carpet Grass, Couch and Sir Walter love chicken manure based fertiliser and will respond with healthy green growth.
When should you use topsoil? ›
It's best to use it wherever you're lacking soil, for example, to fill in a low spot in your lawn, or as a base layer in a new garden that's missing a foundation of soil. If you use topsoil in a garden, you'd still have to add additional compost or manure to help your plants thrive.
Do I need compost and topsoil? ›
But in most cases, topsoil alone won't cut it, and you'll likely need to add compost to create garden soil that offers really first-rate growing conditions. Remember, when it comes to topsoil vs compost, it's usually not a case of choosing one or the other – it's using both to optimise results.
Do I need to mix compost with soil? ›
In vegetable gardens, compost not only adds a low level of nutrients, but it also adjusts the soil's moisture- holding capacity, increasing the soil's ability to shed or retain water. Potted plants, flower gardens, and new trees and shrubs all require specific ratios of compost to soil.
Does compost turn into topsoil? ›
Compost is not topsoil. It can be used to make topsoil or improve topsoil, but is the wrong product for many applications that call for topsoil. Don't use compost as fill dirt, for example. Conversely, topsoil is not compost and will not perform like compost.
Do plants grow better in soil or compost? ›
Compost – Promotes Healthier Plant Growth. Compost is most well-known for its contribution to healthy and resilient plant growth. It has a number of complementary benefits to plant growth, among them that it balances soil density, adds and retains nutrients, and discourages disease, pests and weeds.
Do I just put compost on top of soil? ›
Add compost to soil before you install landscape plants. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of compost over the area you intend to plant. Mix the compost into the soil as deeply as possible. Then install new plants into the amended soil.
Can I plant in compost only? ›
Growing plants in pure compost can cause problems with water retention and stability as well. When mixed with topsoil, compost works wonders with water, as it allows good drainage through heavy soil while it retains water in sandy soil. Used on its own, however, compost drains quickly and promptly dries out.
