Interesting Facts About Topsoil

Facts about topsoil

While you may not lay awake at night thinking about how much you know about topsoil, you may find some of our facts about this critical natural element rather interesting, as well as eye-opening.  Here is some info to fill your head with all things related to the top layer of our planet…

Interesting Facts:

  • Topsoil is the outermost layer of soil that naturally resides on the earth’s surface.  It is typically between 2 – 8 inches deep, but can be up to 3 feet in depth in some places.
  • The exact makeup of the soil is not exactly the same around the world and the makeup in any location depends on a variety of factors.
  • Topsoil is filled with organic matter, microorganisms and nutrients that grass and plants need to thrive – the essential nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, making it easy for roots to absorb.  The organic matter is derived from decaying plants and anything else organic that dies, such as insects, worms, leaves, etc.  Once dead, the decay allows the nutrients in the previously living matter to be returned to the soil.
  • In addition to organic matter, microorganisms and nutrients, the soil contains a variety of other elements such as manure, sand, clay, silt, small bits of rock and stone, water and air.
  • The top layer of soil is typically darker than the subsoil due to the high concentration of decaying organic matter and microorganisms that exist within the soil.
  • The roots of most plants do not extend beyond the layer of topsoil, since that’s where all the nutrients are located.
  • The nutrient-dense soil should not be used alone but should be incorporated into existing soil surfaces to create a viable environment for plant growth, while ensuring adequate and proper drainage.
  • This top layer of soil is becoming an increasingly endangered commodity in the world.  It is disappearing much faster than it can form, since it can take anywhere from 200 years to as much as 1000 years for a single inch of the nutrient-dense material to form but it is being depleted at a much faster rate.  This can eventually become an environmental catastrophe as the soil is necessary for plant growth.
  • Some of the biggest culprits contributing to the loss of this important material include environmental factors, such as changing weather patterns and pollution, erosion and development.  During construction, the top layer of soil is typically removed and can be used in other locations or sold, although some of the soil becomes compacted by the heavy equipment used.
  • Topsoil can be purchased bagged or in bulk.  For large gardening or landscaping projects, a delivery of bulk topsoil is typically the most effective way of transporting enough material to get the job done.  For smaller projects, bags can be purchased at retail gardening stores, home improvement stores or other locations and can be sporadically placed where needed.

 

For more information about bulk topsoil delivery in NJ or Staten Island, contact ATAK Trucking at 917-912-2900.

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