Do soil types really differ?
While many gardeners may be blissfully unaware, there are a variety of soil
types available and they really do make a difference to the end product, the
look and quality of any garden. Even though it is common knowledge that many
plants and shrubs only grow in certain seasons of the year, people seem to
forget that planning should start at the roots - if you ensure your garden has
the correct soil type for your look and style, you have more chance of being
successful. Ignore soil types at your peril!
Even though every area of the world will have a slightly different soil type, it
is not impossible to make your very own landscape oasis using a soil type of
your choice. Of the many soil types available, the most common are :
Soil Conditioner
This product is most commonly used when laying turf, and enriches the soil prior
to the laying of the sods, at which point the natural nutrients will be devoid
of light. This thick root type material can hold these nutrients in the soil
and ensure that the turf has the best chance of reacting positively with the
overall garden.
This variety of soil is often used in the landscaping industry to help sculpture
and nurture a particular style of display.
Planter Mix
This grain of soil consists of both large and small particles which are commonly
used to bed down flower beds, shrubs and small trees. Plant mix will react with
the natural soil type in the garden, and form a secure base which will allow
plants, shrubs and small trees to firmly bed down giving the root system the
stability and nutrients to take a secure hold.
Mulch
While we have covered mulch in our earlier articles, it is worth mentioning that
this product is essential for retaining water - especially in the summer
period. The vast array of mulch types available has also added to the design
and styling elements open to gardeners and professional landscapers. Available
in a variety of colourings and textures, they can often offer an attractive
backdrop to a garden display.
Fill Dirt
As the name suggests, fill dirt is basically a product used to cover large areas
where it is not economical or possible to use higher quality soil. Where
gardeners are looking to change the actual landscape of an area, it offers a
useful insulation between the deeper old soil type and the new type being laid.
The filler has a rough texture and can also consist of stones / pebbles of
differing sizes.
Topsoil Screened
While this product is commonly used for planting tress and large bushes, it is
also very useful for display purposes. The dark brown colouring and regular
sized soil particles offer an interest background to the many colourful and
exotic displays of today's garden world. It is also especially useful when
looking to elevate a particular area of land, to compliment the overall look of
a landscape.
Topsoil / Mulch Mix
As the description suggests, this is a mixture of the water retaining mulch and
topsoil, which offers an interesting option for areas with a shallow base.
While it is obviously beneficial to have a deeper firm base, holding the
nutrients and natural feed for the trees / large bushes, this is sometimes not
possible. This particular mix can be adjusted, offering a varying degree of
water retention and top soil.
While the variety of soil types available is enormous, the above products cover
a vast range of requirements and elements for gardening / landscaping purposes.
It is vital that you adapt your garden soil type so it is compatible with the
plants, trees, etc you are planing to plant.
You will find our selections of high quality Soil in our Landscaping Soil
product section.