What is the Best Soil you should be using for your Flower Bed?


soil uses

When making a flower bed, you are putting your blood, sweat, and tears into a project that you want to look beautiful all year long. You are going to want to make sure you are using the right materials and giving your flowers the proper chance to bloom and grow with enough strength. Soil uses are going to be your main concern. The particular plants you are putting in the flower bed will need the proper conditions and soil for it to thrive. Additional soil than what your yard is currently providing is sometimes necessary for your new flower bed. This mostly comes down to a choice between garden soil uses or topsoil uses.

To someone outside of the gardening scene, they may think that all soils are the same. They would not realize the need for the proper nutrients and fertilizers to ensure long and strong plant life in their flower beds. They might get in contact with the cheapest topsoil delivery only to later find their flowers dying rather quickly. Here are a few tips for garden soil and topsoil.

Garden Soil

Although the term “garden soil” is used on many premixed soils sold in stores, truthfully it is not one natural soil, but multiple. Garden soil sold in stores are made up of a combination of fill sand, silt, clay and various minerals and will have a distinct texture to them. The variety of soils combined in that package were made specifically for a particular plant or type of garden.

Before purchasing any garden soil from a store, be sure to ask what kind of materials are in the mix to ensure that your garden and plants are getting the right soil. Soils are evaluated on their fertility and texture. They are the two basic features you need to know before buying soil. According to Home Depot, “Different plants need different types of support from their soil, so it’s important to determine what you’ll be planting before you pick out the corresponding soil.”


If you are asking yourself, “What is topsoil made of?”, it is the uppermost layer of soil on the earth. It is usually between two and eight inches thick, but in some areas can be up to twelve inches thick. Topsoil is sold in larger quantities for large-scale landscaping needs when compared to garden soil. It is also more of a general mixture of nutrients and not mixed with as many fertilizers or organic matter compared to garden soils.

You might be asking yourself, “What kind of topsoil do I need for my garden?” First, you are going to need to figure out what soil your yard is currently working with. According to SF Gate, “Adding topsoil that is different from the flowerbed’s current soil can change drainage in the flowerbed, leaving plants too dry or waterlogged.” Basically, in order to ensure consistent drainage, mixing soil types should be avoided. Of course, if you are unsure as to the type of soil in your flowerbed, contact an expert for a soil analysis.

All soil uses can differ from each other quite a bit, even if found in the same yard or moved from one flower bed to another. The sand, silt, and clay is all going to be combined in differing proportions. When combined together with the just right proportions as well as in the right location, you will have the best chance to grow healthy, strong flowers. If you end up adding soil that is different from what is currently in the flower bed, you risk changing the drainage in the bed. This can leave your plants too dry or waterlogged. Be sure to do the proper research and provide your plants with the proper soil they will need.