Topsoil

If you need to buy soil to level bare spots in your lawn, create raised beds for a new flower or vegetable garden or fill a hole, buy the best-quality topsoil you can. Several types of soil are available, from topsoil to clay to sandy loam, and a mixture of these may be just what you need. A 50-50 mix of topsoil and red sand, which makes a sandy loam out of the topsoil, is excellent.

A good rich soil is typically dark brown. Some are also full of wheat stubble, which is good because as it decomposes it will increase the organic content in the soil. Topsoil should be relatively free of debris.

• Make sure you know how much topsoil you need before having it delivered. Measure the area to fill, figuring in the depth. You can compute the total amount of topsoil needed or let your dealer do the math.

• Think about where you want the topsoil dumped. If it's in the driveway, lay a tarp down first: topsoil can stain the concrete. If it's in the grass, spread it within about a week to avoid killing the turf.

Guests
Larry Jones
Owner, J&J Sand Company
PO Box 304
Broken Arrow, OK 74013
Phone: 918-451-2581
Fax: 918-451-0178
Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-401
•	Preventing Fungal Disease
•	Topsoil
•	Fruit Trees
•	Freeze Damage