Checklist For Preserving Topsoil

Topsoil is the uppermost soil layer, and it is also the layer where plants acquire most of their nutrients and water. It is for this reason that homeowners and landscapers make preserving topsoil a major priority. However, the preservation of topsoil is a constant process that requires commitments of time, effort, and finances.

Preserving topsoil is a two-fold process. You must first practice soil conservation through smart land usage choices. The second part of the process is essentially made-up of replacing the nutrients removed from the topsoil by plant life. Following these steps will allow you to preserve your rich, fruitful topsoil:

• Grow a variety of plants in your topsoil. Different plants use varying amounts of particular nutrients. For this reason, if you grow only one type of plant, that plant is guaranteed to eventually diminish your topsoil of the nutrients it depends the most on. A more diverse approach will even out the consumption of nutrients.


• Plant a cover crop when you are not using the plot of soil. Cover crops will help to prevent the erosion of soil and will increase the availability of nutrients to the next crops. A common example of a cover crop is clover.


• Use a mulch to add organic matter to your topsoil. Organic matter contains many of the nutrients required by plant life. There are many types of mulch available; many farmers use a combination of materials that include straw, plant tissue, animal manure, and many other forms of organic matter. This strategy increases the organic matter in the soil when bacteria breaks the tissues down.


• Start a compost heap. A compost heap is simply a pile of food scraps, plant matter, and other castaway organic matter that is allowed to partially decompose before mixing it into the topsoil.


• Take steps to prevent erosion. Plants themselves prevent a great deal of erosion by holding the soil together with their roots. Erosion of soil on hillsides can be prevented by terracing.


• Prevent animals from overgrazing on your topsoil. This will reduce the plant life and can lead to erosion.