You certainly can use topsoil for potted plants, but that doesn't mean you should. If you do, your plant probably won't get the nutrients it needs, won't grow at the rate you expect and will be likely to die sooner. The best topsoil for vegetable gardens may not be topsoil at all.
Topsoil, on the other hand, contains natural organic matter from leaves, grasses, weeds and tree bark that can help sustain plant life. However, topsoil is not enriched or amended at all, which limits its use as a growing medium.
Do not use topsoil alone in containers. It can become compacted and saturated with water limiting air space that is important for healthy plant growth. Topsoil is occasionally added to potting mixes in large containers for increased moisture-holding and added weight needed to support large plants.
Direct sowing is the method of planting the seeds directly into outdoor garden soil. There is no special equipment, and there are no little pots and flats to mess with. You don't have to worry about transplanting (and the related risk of transplant shock) or hardening off your plants.
Preparing good soil is often as simple as adding organic matter, mulching it, and letting it live free of compaction and unnecessary disturbance. If you follow these tips, you'll keep your soil microbes and earthworms happy, and overtime, they'll create a rich garden for all of your plants to enjoy!
Gardening Basics: Is Garden Soil the Same as Topsoil? While they have their similarities, garden soil is not the same as topsoil. Topsoil, as the name implies, is the very top layer of soil. Topsoil is dense with minerals and organic matter, which gives it a much darker color than other gardening soils.
It is better to water the topsoil deeply and less frequently rather than more frequent shallow waterings. Most plants with their roots in the topsoil will benefit from this soil management approach and it will help the roots grow stronger and healthier.
After the soil is in place and well-watered, level the soil with a garden rake. A level soil will ensure that water flows down and through soil, and will help prevent surface erosion. STEP 2: Rest the Soil – Don't plant for at least 3 days!
The goal is to water the soil well to saturate it into the planting root zone. And give the soil plenty of time to drain slightly but not dry out completely before you plant.
Clean topsoil or garden soil can be used and should be sterilized to kill disease organisms and weeds. Spread soil in a tray and bake at 200º F for twenty minutes, stirring every five minutes. Sand adds air space to a potting mix. Builder's sand, or coarse sand, is best.
Add one gallon of moist, coarse sphagnum peat moss, followed by one gallon of coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite. Adjust the texture of the medium to create a loose, well-drained mixture. Sand feels gritty and clay feels sticky. If the potting soil feels too sandy, more peat moss should be added.
Soil, Topsoil, and Dirt
Healthy topsoil has the high amounts of organic matter and microorganisms. It has compounds in it such as sand, silt, and clay that make it ideal for growing. It has concentrations of nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, and iron. Dirt, on the other hand, is not suitable for growing.
Together these make a substrate capable of holding water and air which encourages biological activity. There are generally a high concentration of roots in topsoil since this is where plants obtain most of their vital nutrients.
Soil Depth is Crucial
Topsoil is typically thought of as the top 6 inches of soil. We recommend adding at least 2 to 3+ inches of topsoil and rototilling it 2 to 3+ inches into the existing dirt to get the recommended 6 inches depth.
Any plant can be grown without soil. Tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, beans, potatoes, corn, oats, fruits, flowers, and many others have all been grown without soil.
Rooting will generally occur in 3-4 weeks but some plants will take longer. When the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer the cutting is ready to be potted up. This plant has heavy rooting and is ready to be moved to a pot with potting soil.
Wet the soil before planting. This helps reduce root desiccation because of dry soils and “dilutes” salts contained in the soil. Water transplants thoroughly immediately after planting in wet soil. Do not rely on just the drip system to water plants after planting.
Remove about one-third or more of the old potting mix surrounding the plant's roots. As it grew, your plant removed some or all of the nutrients in the current mix, so you'll want to give it fresh potting mix or soil. Pour a layer of fresh potting soil into the empty planter and pack it down, removing any air pockets.
It can take 500 to 1,000 years for one inch of topsoil (the upper layer of soil containing the most organic matter and microorganisms) to form through the interaction of bedrock, climate, topography, and living organisms.
You can apply topsoil anytime, but most gardeners like to add it in spring before planting. In the fall, it may also be added as a top dressing that will allow nutrients to break down into the soil. You may add topsoil into plantings by adding to the holes where shrubs are planted.
On an average, it takes about 100 years to produce ONE INCH of topsoil; like any other resource soils must be managed, protected, conserved, and maintained if they are to continue feeding the ever hungry peoples of the world.
Usually, 8 inches of topsoil is needed to fill a new garden bed or raised bed. If you intend to add topsoil to your lawn, you will need approximately 4-6 inches of topsoil to give you the healthy lawn you desire.
The main disadvantages of topsoil are that it can be difficult to predict its quality, it may contain pollutants and weed seeds, and it can be expensive. The quality of topsoil can vary greatly depending on the region and the supplier.
Any time you stir up soil and water it, you'll get weeds – even if added soil was "clean." Weed seeds are typically throughout topsoil, and it's when they're brought close to the surface and watered that they germinate.