If you’re a gardener, landscaper, or homeowner and you’re searching for soil to fill in the areas of your garden or yard that need to be raised up, you’ve likely come across two terms: topsoil and fill dirt.
These two types of soil are often used interchangeably by people who aren’t familiar with how they differ from each other; however, there are some important differences between them that can affect your project if you don’t understand what they are.
In this article we’ll explain the main difference between topsoil and fill dirt as well as which one is better suited for your needs:
Where Did Soil Come From?
Soil is a loose mixture of minerals, organic matter and gasses that forms the top layer of the earth’s surface. It’s an important part of the earth’s ecosystem and plays a vital role in supporting plant life.
What Is Topsoil?
Topsoil is a layer of soil that sits on top of subsoil. It contains organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and animal manure. The topsoil layer varies in thickness depending on where you live; it can range between 4 inches deep to 12 inches deep in most places.
Topsoil provides nutrients for plants and helps them grow better than fill dirt alone. It also contains more carbon, nitrogen and other helpful nutrients which foster better growth with plants. The abundance of organic matter and nutrients enable more oxygen to reach roots for healthier growth as well.
Fertilizers and compost can be added to topsoil to increase the amount of nutrients and oxygen inside. Topsoil can eventually be turned into garden soil with enough composting and additions, but this does take some time. This soil will always foster and encourage more growth than fill dirt, and should always be placed on top of fill dirt once it has been set.
What Is Fill Dirt?
Fill dirt is a type of soil that is used to fill in low spots and level out uneven areas. Fill dirt can be used to improve drainage and prevent erosion, but it also contains a very low amount of organic matter. This makes it an ideal material for construction projects because it doesn’t break down or compost over time, allowing you to retain the integrity of your surface with minimal effort on your part.
Fill dirt is best used for construction and soil grading because of its low amount of organic material and solid particles – it doesn’t break down easily like topsoil does, allowing it to retain its integrity indefinitely!
The Difference Between Topsoil and Fill Dirt
When it comes to growing plants and flowers, topsoil is the way to go. The nutrients in topsoil are better suited for plant growth than fill dirt, which can be lacking in certain minerals and nutrients that help plants thrive.
However, if you’re looking for a base layer of soil beneath your lawn or garden beds (or anywhere else), then fill dirt may be a better choice than topsoil because it doesn’t move around as much when walked on. Topsoil tends not only settle over time but also break down into smaller particles that can make footing difficult around walkways or other areas where people might walk frequently–especially if they have shoes on!
Fill dirt is best used for construction and soil grading because of the low amount of organic material and solid particles. While topsoil is indeed optimal for planting and gardening, the breakdowns and air pockets cause the soil to move and sink in some spots. This is fine for a top layer, but not for a foundation layer that is intended to provide stability for structures and landscaping.
For instance, if you were to fill a hole or gap in your yard with topsoil, the dirt will eventually break down some and cause unevenness or even sinking in some spots. Fill dirt doesn’t break down, allowing it to retain the integrity of the surface.
So, if you’re looking to purchase a truckload of dirt, what should you get? If you’d like to improve your soil’s texture and fertility, go with topsoil. If you need something more affordable or just want fill material for landscaping projects like building a patio or retaining wall, then fill dirt is probably the way to go.
Make Your Project Successful With Free Fill Dirt Delivery
Obtaining quality and reliable fill dirt is the first step in making sure that your home project is going to be successful, no matter what the size. It’s also a necessity when building projects such as raised planters and flower beds.
If you are in need of reliable, free dirt delivery, professional residential dirt grading assistance, and site preparation work, contact us today. We have quality fill dirt that can be delivered directly to your work site, as well as the knowledge and tools required to ensure that your projects are always built to last.
