Landscape Maintenance - Topsoil
About Topsoil
What Is Topsoil?
| Topsoil is the surface coating or layer of soil. It is approximately 15 to 20cms in thickness. Topsoil is where most of the earth’s biological soil activity occurs. It also has the highest absorption of micro-organisms and organic matter. Plants, flowers and tree roots generally sit in topsoil once planted in the ground and this is where they feed off the nutrients in the topsoil. |
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A major issue which affects topsoil is called soil erosion. Soil erosion is a natural process which is generated by wind, water and ice. Soil erosion takes place when most of the topsoil is transported and washed away. Plants are unable to grow effectively without topsoil, this is why soil erosion should be controlled and prevented to ensure topsoil is kept and preserved. |
Topsoil mixtures are sold nowadays by nurseries and commercial businesses for the use of residential landscaping gardens and lawns. There are many different types of topsoil so choose carefully to suit your climate and garden needs.
Protecting Topsoil from Degradation
| The degradation of topsoil occurs in many forms which include the following; erosion, acidification, sediment and salinity. Topsoil is becoming scarce all over the world due to poor farming practices, poor irrigation, and maintenance. Hundreds and thousands of hectares of topsoil is literally being washed away into our water supplies, oceans and rivers. This is why protecting topsoil from degradation is vital. |
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Topsoil should be managed in a sustainable matter not only for the environment but also for economical purposes. Vegetation, crops and plants are vital for the prevention and management of topsoil degradation. They each play an important role for the vitality of topsoil. They work like a barrier and prevent water, wind and ice erosion from affecting the topsoil layer in the ground.
Turf and grass is also known to prevent topsoil degradation on residential properties by up to 50 percent more that plants and trees. Turf cover over topsoil enables the topsoil to retain moisture at a slow pace but it can house loads more water and be resistant to erosion.
Building a New Garden
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If you are re-designing your landscape or building a new one before you decide on choosing many gorgeous plants, flowers and trees you should firstly check out the type and condition of the topsoil. Do this by digging several holes throughout the garden areas to achieve a ruff idea of the topsoil's profile. If it is dull dry and lifeless then you may need to purchase new topsoil from the nursery. If it is in good condition then you should buy plants to suit the existing topsoil. |
| A typical garden should have a thin layer of topsoil over a subsoil layer, because the subsoil layer does not carry much organic matter which the topsoil does. All types of topsoil and soil can support all types of attractive plants, flowers and trees but remember that flowers which require heavy drainage and clay for example are a waste in a residential garden filled with topsoil, so it important to choose plants and flower correctly to suit topsoil in your garden. |
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