Fill Dirt vs Topsoil

Fill dirt and topsoil are both commonly used to fill spaces but they have very different compositions, functions, and prices. Whether you’re gardening or filling a hole, you might find yourself going back and forth between fill dirt and topsoil. Before making any decisions, let’s explore some core differences between the two. 

What is Topsoil? 

Simply put, topsoil is the top layer of soil in a garden. Due to the vast amount of minerals and organic matter, topsoil is a top choice for homeowners looking to grow flowers, vegetables, and plants. Because it’s so desirable, topsoil does have a higher price than dirt. 

Types of Topsoil 

Sandy soil: This soil is light, dry, and warm. Sandy soil is incredibly easy to work with because it has a higher ratio of sand to clay, making the soil lighter. 

Clay soil: Clay soil retains water very well and is made up of 25% clay. If you’re using this in the winter, clay soil does get wet but tends to dry out in the summer. 

Silt soil: Due to its medium-sized particles, silt soil is great for water retention and drainage. However, it can easily be washed away in the rain because the soil is so fine. 

Peat soil: We don’t recommend peat soil for gardening, rather, peat soil should be used as a base for planting. 

Chalk soil: Chalk soil has a high amount of alkaline so it should only be used with plants that need acidic soil to grow. 

When to Use Topsoil 

Topsoil is the best way to provide nutrients to your plants as well as protect seedlings and fix ph levels with soil. Bagged topsoil, however, is often used on top of damaged lawns and gardens to fill low and bare spots or areas that are beaten down.

When choosing topsoil, check to see what ingredients it contains and look for blends that fit what you need it to do, whether it’s ph correction, water drainage, or adding nutrients. 

What is Fill Dirt? 

Fill dirt is the layer beneath topsoil and it contains more stone, rocks, and dense earth, making this perfect for filling in holes. Fill dirt is also commonly used to raise and level land and pack around retaining walls. 

When to Use Fill Dirt

Since fill dirt is primarily used to create a firm foundation and fill holes, fill dirt is the preferred choice at construction sites. Fill dirt is cheap and should be purchased from a landscape supply company that makes their dirt for filling in holes. 

If you reside in the Dundee area and are looking for fill dirt or topsoil, contact the team at SV Enterprises at (847) 426-6751 or fill out our contact form. Browse our site to see the wide variety of landscape materials we offer.