Improving Marginal Topsoil for Resale

An earth-moving contractor wanted to upgrade subpar topsoil before screening and repiling.

Priority Amendment

Organic matter is the single most important addition: leaves, grass clippings, fine bark, composted manure—anything that incorporates well.

Good topsoil is defined by structure and biology, not just minerals. Organic matter drives both.

Soil Issues: Fertilizing St. Augustine Grass in Florida: pH, Nutrient Ratios, and Mowing Practices for a Thick Green Lawn; How Deep Should Topsoil Be for a Healthy Lawn?; Transforming Red Clay Mud into Garden Soil; Orchids Not Blooming After 3 Years: Fertilizer Switch and Epsom Salts; Choosing an RO System for Large Carnivorous Plant Collections; Renovating a Crabgrass-Infested Lawn Organically in Riverside, CA; Best Grass Seed for Pure Sand Soil; Why Every Plant Thrives Better in a Greenhouse Environment; Why Every Gardener Needs a Farmer Friend (And How to Find One); Landscape Edging: Materials, Methods, and Pro Tips for Crisp, Lasting Borders

Garden Articles

Plants