Is top soil and potting soil the same thing?

Question

I want to plant some things in a small area in my front yard and was curious if I could use potting soil.

Answer 1

No they aren't.

You can use potting soil in a in-the-ground-garden, but you cannot use top soil in pots.

Top soil is too heavy and doesn't drain well enough for use in pots. It's pretty much the same as garden dirt with some amendments mixed into occasionally to help your garden grow. Top soil can be sterilized, but is not always sold that way.

Potting soil is lighter, is generally a sterile, soil-less mix of compost, perlite and vermiculite (and sometimes other things) to help with water drainage in pots. It does not contain actual soil or dirt.

Answer 2

I had this problem but not in such a vast expance as yours. I have at least a foot of landscape rock that had sunk over the years into the soil. It is now mixed. You have to remember that grass roots are rather long and you will need nutrients for the roots for the grass to grow. what is under the rocks? is it a mixture of dirt and stones? I through top soil down about an inch to 2 inches and then laid a layer of grass seed. Now you cannot tell this patch of rock from the rest of the yard. good luck you will be able to do it, but you may have to pull the weeds in the other areas first. Remember that the thicker the grass grows the grass will push out the weeds and you will probably have a beautiful yard. Watch what type of fertilizer you buy cause it will burn the grass even when you follow directions. After you grow the grass have a professional fertilze the first couple of years to get the lawn growing well. then you can talk with garden supplier for the best and then just try test patches before you do it yourself.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is top soil and potting soil the same thing?
I want to plant some things in a small area in my front yard and was curious if I could use potting soil.

Answer 4

Potting Soil:
(Blend of items with pumice & 1/4-0 bark added.) Used by nurseries in potted plants. Can be used in flower boxes, clay pots or in any other planter for a well drained soil media.
Potting soil is made with other ingredients to keep it like description below.

There are only three things that you need to know about potting soil. It should be light and fluffy, it should drain well, and it should be very much organic. Keep that in mind as you gather your ingredients for potting soil.
http://www.freeplants.com/ingredients-for-potting-soil.htm

There are many millions of different materials that make up soil, but they can all be grouped into two large categories: Organic material and Mineral material.
http://www.freeplants.com/ingredients-for-potting-soil.htm

The basic difference is the ingredients.
I have included a couple of links if you care to read them.

Answer 5

Top soil and potting soil are basicly the same,. However, potting soil is sterlized to kill all the bugs . If you just go and dig up topsoil and bring it into your house, opretty soon your house will be full of flies and other bugs.

Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, usually the top 15–20 cm. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms, and is where most of the Earth's biological soil activity occurs. Plants generally concentrate their roots in, and obtain most of their nutrients from this layer. The actual depth of the topsoil layer can be measured as the depth from the surface to the first densely packed soil layer known as hardpan.

As one of the layers of soil on the Earth's surface, topsoil is sometimes referred to as the A horizon. This layer is formed from the deposition of eroded material as well as decaying organic matter. A variety of soil mixtures are sold commercially as topsoil, usually for use in improving gardens and lawns. or potting soil for ideal growing conditions in container gardens.

Answer 6

Top soil is different in that it usually has no additional amendments or fertilizers. Using potting soil ( even out in yard ) is great way to start healthy plants.

Answer 7

No it is not, top soil is not porous, and may have harmful bugs, salts, etc. in fact top soil may have very little value for the plants. Cal. has harmful insects in our soil.

Potting soil is mixed especially for the plant. Camilla & Azalea soil. African Violet soil, Cactus and Succulent Mix.
Orchid mix. I would use potting soil, that has been mixed, that way your plant will get what it needs to grow. Crasulady2@dslextreme.

Answer 8

I can't see any problems if you were to use potting compost for planting outside. Topsoil is usually used as a mulch or for levelling the ground and that sought of thing.

Answer 9

What Is Topsoil Used For

Answer 10

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