When visiting our yard, you sometimes ask questions about our topsoil and the soil usage. In this post, I am trying to summarize the answers. If there is anything I forgot to mention, please comment the post and I will provide the missing info.

NATURAL TOPSOIL IS A LIVING THING

The soil is a biosystem inhabited by other living things (plants, microbes, insects, etc.) that contribute to the biosystem, but the soil is also alive itself. Like any other living organism, it can emerge, transform, propagate and die.

Most of the plants absorb water and mineral nutrients by their roots from the soil. I say "most of the plants," because some of the plants are very simple and don't even have roots. But we are not talking about those now.

NATURAL TOPSOIL IS THE BEST FOR THE PLANTS

If you want to work less with the plants in your yard, better use natural soil. It is the best for the plants too. Apart from mineral salts, necessary to the plants, it contains organic matter making the soil fluffier and serving as a stock of nutrients. These nutrients are not ready to be absorbed immediately but will become available for the plants later with the help of microbes.

OUR BULK TOPSOIL IS NOT FOR POTTED PLANTS

The above section does not relate potted plants. Growing in a pot is not a natural condition, so artificial soil mixes usually work better than natural soil there.

Natural soil supplies plants with the nutrients for years before exhausts while artificial mixes, either potting or not, need more care: you need periodically fertilize and even change the growing media.

HOW TO PREVENT WEED GROWTH?

Some people ask us whether our topsoil contains weed seeds. "Yes, it does," we answer, "because it is natural." Killing weed seeds is possible, but good microbes would also be killed and stop feeding the plants. To prevent weeds from growing use mulch and grow your plants with proper spacing that does not provide lots of light to the weeds to thrive. I prefer not using herbicides: they damage wildlife, contaminate water and food, and are harmful to the health. Now eco herbicides are available, but they have their limitations and need to be applied a few times per season. Why not spend this time just weeding? Another alternative is using landscape fabric if the plants need a long time to grow until they mature and cover the soil. Our soil does not degrade for 20 years. It means it does not contaminate the soil with the disintegration products. The intact fabric can be taken out of the soil and disposed safely when not necessary anymore.

OUR TOPSOIL IS UNIVERSAL

The soil we sell is suitable for the most of the plants, but some plants require special soil conditions: more acid or alkaline, or need extra nutrients. That's why before planting you need to check growing conditions for a plant and modify the soil accordingly. I don't recommend growing plants which need very special conditions compared to your yard's unless you don't mind to pay extra attention and devote extra time to that plant. Besides, take into account the surrounding plants and their acidity requirements.

ADJUSTING TOPSOIL ACIDITY

Azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, heather and some other plants are acid-loving. If they don't grow well having enough sun and nutrition, the acidity may be the issue. Apply some sphagnum peat moss, sulfur or nitrogen fertilizer. For alkali loving plants, like hellebores, dianthus, purple crocus, clematis or potentilla, treat the soil with lime to reduce acidity. In both cases, it is better to underdo than overdo. I recommend measuring soil acidity with a pH meter when adjusting it.

HOW TO BUY ONLINE TOPSOIL IN BARRIE AND AREA?

1) At the homepage of our website, click �products� (top of the screen).

2) Select category of products (�TRIPLE MIX AND TOPSOIL BUY ONLINE....�)

3) Next to the product you need (Screened Topsoil) dial the necessary quantity (in cubic yards) in the grey box.

4) Click �add to cart� and continue shopping if you need other bulk or packed products.

5) After adding to the cart all the materials you need, click cart sign at the upper right of the screen .

6) click �check out�.

7) Fill out the delivery info and click �continue�.

8) Read your delivery info. In the case of errors, edit (green button �edit� below the delivery info); press �pay with card� (blue button).

9) Enter your email address (for payment notification) and the card data, and click the blue pay button with the amount on it. We do NOT save your card details; your payment through our website is safely processed by an online payment operator, which is certified by the government.