Information about Topsoil You need to understand

[Micheal Jack]

There are many different substances that can be found in topsoil. Each of these substances in topsoil can be either beneficial or harmful for the topsoil and for the plants dependant on how much of each substance is in the topsoil. In this article I will discuss each of these substances and how much of each is effective and/or harmful.

Soluble salts

Soluble salts are harmful to topsoil landscaping supply store. If there are unusually high numbers of soluble salts, it will be difficult for the topsoil to absorb water. High numbers of soluble salts already have direct toxic effects on many plants. Electrical conductivity of the topsoil solution, or ECe is th3e rating used to determine what the quality of soluble salt is in topsoil. Soluble salts can be removed quite easily by over-watering the soil with low salt water. This removal of soluble salts, or leaching, must be done before anything can be rooted in the topsoil.
The ideal amount of soluble salt in topsoil is less than 2 dS/m or mmho/cm. If there is more than 2 dS/m or mmho/cm but less than 4 dS/m or mmho/cm, that is a good level of soluble salt. However, if there is more than 4 dS/m or mmho/cm in your topsoil, this is unacceptable, and the topsoil must be cleared of the excess soluble salt. Only certain plants will actually grow in topsoil that is near 4 dS/m or mmho/cm.

pH Levels

pH is an indication of what the acidity or the alkalinity, or basic nature, is in soil. Topsoil pH is measured with a pH electrode. Using a pH electrode to measure what the pH is of topsoil is the only way to accurately determine the actual pH of any given soil. There are other means by which people test a soil's pH, but these ways are not accurate. The way pH works is that a pH of seven is natural; that is it is neither an acid nor a base. If the pH is below seven, it is an acidic substance; while if the pH is above seven, it is a basic or alkaline substance. In topsoil, if the pH is between 5. 5 and 7. 5, it is ideal. If the pH is between 5. 0 and 8. 2, it is acceptable. If the pH is below 5. 0 or above 8. 2, it is unacceptable. Most plants will be able to survive without any problems in pH numbers of 5. 0 to 8. 2. However, there are some plants that won't grow in a pH level higher than 7. 0. These plants need the acid. Other plants are extremely susceptible to iron lack if they are increasingly being grown in garden soil with pH levels above 7. 7.