Side by side
| Topsoil | Garden soil | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The natural upper layer of the ground, often screened | Topsoil blended with compost or other organic matter |
| Organic matter | Whatever it came with; varies a lot | Higher, by design |
| Texture | From sandy to clay, depending on the source | Looser and more crumbly |
| Weight per yard, about | 1 to 1.4 tons | 0.8 to 1.2 tons |
| Usually costs | Less | More |
| Best for | New lawns, grading, filling, base of beds | Vegetable and flower beds, topping up beds |
| Not ideal for | Pots; deep raised beds on its own | Pots; large fills where cost adds up |
Where potting mix and raised bed mix fit
Two more products often sit on the same shelf, and the names overlap:
| Product | Usually made of | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | Mineral soil from the top layer of the ground | Lawns, grading, the base of beds |
| Garden soil / garden mix | Topsoil + compost (bulk); organic-rich blends (bags) | In-ground beds |
| Raised bed mix | Topsoil, compost and coarse material in various ratios, or soilless blends | Raised beds |
| Potting mix | Usually soilless: peat or coir, bark, perlite or similar | Pots, planters, window boxes |
Bagged products called “garden soil” are often meant to be mixed into the ground rather than used alone, and they are not the same as potting mix. Read the label.
When to use topsoil
- New lawns and regrading. Topsoil is the standard material for building a lawn base, usually 4 to 6 inches deep. See topsoil for a lawn.
- Filling and leveling. Raising low ground or smoothing a slope before planting.
- The base of a big bed. Plain screened topsoil, with compost mixed into the top few inches, is a cost-effective way to build a large planting area.
- The mineral part of a raised bed blend. Topsoil gives a mix weight and structure so it doesn’t sink as much.
When to use garden soil
- New vegetable and flower beds on poor ground, usually 6 to 8 inches deep. The garden soil calculator works out the quantity.
- Raising or refreshing an existing bed, especially where the soil is thin or tired.
- Filling raised beds if your supplier’s garden mix suits it; ask what’s in it.
Making your own garden soil from topsoil
If you can get good screened topsoil and compost separately, you can blend them yourself, either in the bed or on a tarp. A common starting point is about two or three parts topsoil to one part compost by volume. The raised bed soil mix calculator splits any volume into parts, and the compost calculator handles a compost layer forked into an existing bed.
How to tell what you’re getting
Products are named inconsistently, so ask the supplier or check the bag:
- What are the ingredients, and roughly in what proportions?
- Is the topsoil screened?
- Is there a soil test showing pH and organic matter?
- Is it meant for in-ground use, raised beds or containers?
For a closer look at what’s sold as topsoil, including screened, unscreened and regional names, see types of topsoil.
Whichever you choose, measure first. The topsoil calculator handles any of these materials; just pick it from the material list for the right weight.
Questions gardeners ask
- What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
- Topsoil is the natural upper layer of soil, screened or not, with whatever organic matter it came with. Garden soil is usually topsoil blended with compost or other organic material, so it is richer and looser, and usually costs more.
- Can I use topsoil instead of garden soil?
- Yes, for lawns, grading and as the base of a bed. For vegetables and flowers, mixing compost into it gives a result close to garden soil.
- Can I use garden soil in pots?
- It is not recommended. In containers it tends to compact and stay wet. Use potting mix for pots and planters.
- Which is better for raised beds, topsoil or garden soil?
- A blend works best: topsoil for body and compost for organic matter. Bulk garden soil or raised bed mix is often already that blend; plain topsoil needs compost added.