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'Top Soil' in bags from big box store

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Posted by hollow_oaks 27516 (My Page) on
Sun, Oct 30, 11 at 13:30

I have several bags of "top soil" (it says so on the bag) that I got - me being greedy - half price, because they were torn. They are saying it is recommended for lawns, as well as for side dressing vegetables.

My question is whether this "soil" is good enough to be added as organic material into organic garden beds, that need some help. I was thinking of putting in coffee grounds and this material now, and in the spring add compost.

I am afraid that the material may be not all that healthy, what do you think?

Thxs, HO

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RE: 'Top Soil' in bags from big box store

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More then likely that "topsoil" is mostly the mineral potion of soil than it would be the organic matter portion. Maybe that might be about 5 percent organic matter. The only way to know is to test it. This may be of some help.
1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

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