Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??


In the past we have tried 3 different kinds of topsoil for
patching/fixing bare spots in our lawn.


We tried some generic one from Home Depot called "Old Castle Topsoil".
It was something like $1.19 for a 40 pound bag. The stuff was absolutely
terrible!!! It was wet and all stuck together, and smelly!! It had tons
of rocks and sticks in it, pieces of paper and plastic, someones broken
metal eyeglasses frame, pieces of black roof shingles, etc, etc.


There was also a new one that came out last year ( 2008 ), at Home Depot
called "Scotts Premium Topsoil", which was $1.99 for a 30 pound bag. It
is "screened" topsoil with an organic and peat moss mix. This one was
much better than the "Old Castle" one, but you got 10 pounds LESS, and
is was more money!!


The one that we really like is one we got at Ace Hardware. Its called
"Organic TopSoil" and its from a company called "Majestic-Earth". It
comes in a 30 pound bag. It is "screened" topsoil, and it's a really
soft soil, that is Dark Black in color. It looks to be what gardeners
call "Black Gold".


It USE to be $1.99 for a 30 pound bag when we bought it last year ( 2008
), now all of a sudden it SKYROCKETED in price!!! We went there this
weekend to get some, and it is now priced at $3.49 a bag!!!!! A $1.49
increase in one year!!?? What the hell!?


We live in the Northeast, and while we didn't really have a terrible
winter with any major storms, the sander trucks really did a number on
our treebelt putting down TONS of sand and road salt. Our treebelt is
loaded with sand, and has a ton of barespots thanks to the "sanders"
putting down sand and salt over the winter.


We now have to patch and reseed the bare spots on the treebelt, and well
as other bare spots throughout the yard. So basically my question is, is
"Organic TopSoil" at $3.49 a bag worth it?? Is it really that much
better for the lawn, and for growing new grass seed??


$3.49 for a 30 pound bag of topsoil seems way too high in price?? I know
that we aren't going back to the $1.19 "unscreened" "Old Castle" one,
filled up with rocks, sticks, junk, and other debris!! So we may just
stick with the "Scotts Premium Organic Mix Topsoil" at $1.99 for 30
pounds??


The only thing is, is that the "Scotts Premium Topsoil" is not a 100%
percent organic topsoil, its just regular topsoil with organic topsoil
and peat moss mixed in?? It is a "screened" topsoil though, so you don't
have to worry about any rocks, sticks, or other debris in there.


Is Ace Hardware way overpriced for the "Majestic-Earth Organic TopSoil"
at $3.49 a bag, or is it worth it???


Any info. would greatly be appreciated!!


Thanks!

In article ,
(MICHELLE H.) wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??


In the past we have tried 3 different kinds of topsoil for
patching/fixing bare spots in our lawn.


We tried some generic one from Home Depot called "Old Castle Topsoil".
It was something like $1.19 for a 40 pound bag. The stuff was absolutely
terrible!!! It was wet and all stuck together, and smelly!! It had tons
of rocks and sticks in it, pieces of paper and plastic, someones broken
metal eyeglasses frame, pieces of black roof shingles, etc, etc.


There was also a new one that came out last year ( 2008 ), at Home Depot
called "Scotts Premium Topsoil", which was $1.99 for a 30 pound bag. It
is "screened" topsoil with an organic and peat moss mix. This one was
much better than the "Old Castle" one, but you got 10 pounds LESS, and
is was more money!!


The one that we really like is one we got at Ace Hardware. Its called
"Organic TopSoil" and its from a company called "Majestic-Earth". It
comes in a 30 pound bag. It is "screened" topsoil, and it's a really
soft soil, that is Dark Black in color. It looks to be what gardeners
call "Black Gold".


It USE to be $1.99 for a 30 pound bag when we bought it last year ( 2008
), now all of a sudden it SKYROCKETED in price!!! We went there this
weekend to get some, and it is now priced at $3.49 a bag!!!!! A $1.49
increase in one year!!?? What the hell!?


We live in the Northeast, and while we didn't really have a terrible
winter with any major storms, the sander trucks really did a number on
our treebelt putting down TONS of sand and road salt. Our treebelt is
loaded with sand, and has a ton of barespots thanks to the "sanders"
putting down sand and salt over the winter.


We now have to patch and reseed the bare spots on the treebelt, and well
as other bare spots throughout the yard. So basically my question is, is
"Organic TopSoil" at $3.49 a bag worth it?? Is it really that much
better for the lawn, and for growing new grass seed??


$3.49 for a 30 pound bag of topsoil seems way too high in price?? I know
that we aren't going back to the $1.19 "unscreened" "Old Castle" one,
filled up with rocks, sticks, junk, and other debris!! So we may just
stick with the "Scotts Premium Organic Mix Topsoil" at $1.99 for 30
pounds??


The only thing is, is that the "Scotts Premium Topsoil" is not a 100%
percent organic topsoil, its just regular topsoil with organic topsoil
and peat moss mixed in?? It is a "screened" topsoil though, so you don't
have to worry about any rocks, sticks, or other debris in there.


Is Ace Hardware way overpriced for the "Majestic-Earth Organic TopSoil"
at $3.49 a bag, or is it worth it???


Any info. would greatly be appreciated!!


Thanks!

Is your lawn organic? If yes, I'd dig (or just spread on surface) in
what ever soil amendments you may need (bone meal, rock phosphate,
alfalfa pellets, ect.) cover with black and white newsprint. Cover
newsprint with alfalfa (not pellets) and hose down the covered area.
After a week, broadcast lawn seed on prepared area and water it into the
alfalfa. Keep area damp. Re-seed as needed.
you feel neededcover the bald area
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:46:24 -0400, (MICHELLE H.)
wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??



I have all kinds of mulch, garden soil and compost for patching the
lawn so I don't ned to buy anything. But I got to buy the straw for
protecting the seed and seedlings. Isn't most topsoil organic?

In article ,
Phisherman wrote:

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:46:24 -0400, (MICHELLE H.)
wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??



I have all kinds of mulch, garden soil and compost for patching the
lawn so I don't ned to buy anything. But I got to buy the straw for
protecting the seed and seedlings. Isn't most topsoil organic?

In the carbon - carbon bond sense, yes. In contemporary discourse,
however, it means not polluted with man made toxic chemicals. The fact
that Dow Chemical and Monsanto exist, should give grave concern as to
the importation of any soil of unknown origin.
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html

On Apr 14, 7:46*am, (MICHELLE H.) wrote:
Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??

In the past we have tried 3 different kinds of topsoil for
patching/fixing bare spots in our lawn.

We tried some generic one from Home Depot called "Old Castle Topsoil".
It was something like $1.19 for a 40 pound bag. The stuff was absolutely
terrible!!! It was wet and all stuck together, and smelly!! It had tons
of rocks and sticks in it, pieces of paper and plastic, someones broken
metal eyeglasses frame, pieces of black roof shingles, etc, etc.

There was also a new one that came out last year ( 2008 ), at Home Depot
called "Scotts Premium Topsoil", which was $1.99 for a 30 pound bag. It
is "screened" topsoil with an organic and peat moss mix. This one was
much better than the "Old Castle" one, but you got 10 pounds LESS, and
is was more money!!

The one that we really like is one we got at Ace Hardware. Its called
"Organic TopSoil" and its from a company called "Majestic-Earth". It
comes in a 30 pound bag. It is "screened" topsoil, and it's a really
soft soil, that is Dark Black in color. It looks to be what gardeners
call "Black Gold". *

It USE to be $1.99 for a 30 pound bag when we bought it last year ( 2008
), now all of a sudden it SKYROCKETED in price!!! We went there this
weekend to get some, and it is now priced at $3.49 a bag!!!!! A $1.49
increase in one year!!?? What the hell!? *

We live in the Northeast, and while we didn't really have a terrible
winter with any major storms, the sander trucks really did a number on
our treebelt putting down TONS of sand and road salt. Our treebelt is
loaded with sand, and has a ton of barespots thanks to the "sanders"
putting down sand and salt over the winter.

We now have to patch and reseed the bare spots on the treebelt, and well
as other bare spots throughout the yard. So basically my question is, is
"Organic TopSoil" at $3.49 a bag worth it?? Is it really that much
better for the lawn, and for growing new grass seed??

$3.49 for a 30 pound bag of topsoil seems way too high in price?? I know
that we aren't going back to the $1.19 "unscreened" "Old Castle" one,
filled up with rocks, sticks, junk, and other debris!! So we may just
stick with the "Scotts Premium Organic Mix Topsoil" at $1.99 for 30
pounds??

The only thing is, is that the "Scotts Premium Topsoil" is not a 100%
percent organic topsoil, its just regular topsoil with organic topsoil
and peat moss mixed in?? It is a "screened" topsoil though, so you don't
have to worry about any rocks, sticks, or other debris in there.

Is Ace Hardware way overpriced for the "Majestic-Earth Organic TopSoil"
at $3.49 a bag, or is it worth it???

Any info. would greatly be appreciated!!

Thanks!

First, you need to understand that "topsoil" is a generic term that is
used to describe a very wide range materials. By definition, it is the
top layer of soil (typically down to around 4") that is removed,
generally as the result of construction/development activity. There is
no guarantee that this top layer is any better in quality, substance
or texture than any other soil obtained anywhere else - it could be
devoid of organic matter and therefore soil life, it could be rocky
and filled with roots. It could just as well be fill dirt or
contaminated with all manner of pollutants. Simply because it is
bagged and labeled as "topsoil" is no guarantee that it adds any value
to your garden.

I agree with Victoria that a visit to a soil yard or landscape supply
company may be in order. Or to any retail nurseries in your area that
offer bulk soil products. Look at the material before you buy and
evaluate its components - most suppliers will list what is included.
Avoid anything labeled as simply "topsoil". 3-way planting mixes would
serve your purposes nicely - they are typically some combination of
loam, compost and a textural offering: coarse sand, bark fines or
sometimes sawdust. Or a screened compost. Much of the commercial
compost industry IS highly regulated and you can generally rest
assured that the product you are purchasing has been properly
processed and aged and is free of possible contaminates. Avoid those
small operations that sell from the side of the road or from small
farm lots.......they tend be rather unknown quantities :-)

And you do get what you pay for.......the better the product, the more
it is has been tested and possibly certified, and the more clearly it
is labeled, the greater the cost. Bulk soil will always be far less
expensive than bagged material. Bring your own buckets or burlap bags
or pick-up . Most places will deliver in quantity as well.

In article
,
gardengal wrote:

On Apr 14, 7:46*am, (MICHELLE H.) wrote:
Hi everyone,

Just want to get everybodys opinion on whether you think "Organic
Topsoil" is worth the price for fixing bare spots, and filling in holes
in a yard??

In the past we have tried 3 different kinds of topsoil for
patching/fixing bare spots in our lawn.

We tried some generic one from Home Depot called "Old Castle Topsoil".
It was something like $1.19 for a 40 pound bag. The stuff was absolutely
terrible!!! It was wet and all stuck together, and smelly!! It had tons
of rocks and sticks in it, pieces of paper and plastic, someones broken
metal eyeglasses frame, pieces of black roof shingles, etc, etc.

There was also a new one that came out last year ( 2008 ), at Home Depot
called "Scotts Premium Topsoil", which was $1.99 for a 30 pound bag. It
is "screened" topsoil with an organic and peat moss mix. This one was
much better than the "Old Castle" one, but you got 10 pounds LESS, and
is was more money!!

The one that we really like is one we got at Ace Hardware. Its called
"Organic TopSoil" and its from a company called "Majestic-Earth". It
comes in a 30 pound bag. It is "screened" topsoil, and it's a really
soft soil, that is Dark Black in color. It looks to be what gardeners
call "Black Gold". *

It USE to be $1.99 for a 30 pound bag when we bought it last year ( 2008
), now all of a sudden it SKYROCKETED in price!!! We went there this
weekend to get some, and it is now priced at $3.49 a bag!!!!! A $1.49
increase in one year!!?? What the hell!? *

We live in the Northeast, and while we didn't really have a terrible
winter with any major storms, the sander trucks really did a number on
our treebelt putting down TONS of sand and road salt. Our treebelt is
loaded with sand, and has a ton of barespots thanks to the "sanders"
putting down sand and salt over the winter.

We now have to patch and reseed the bare spots on the treebelt, and well
as other bare spots throughout the yard. So basically my question is, is
"Organic TopSoil" at $3.49 a bag worth it?? Is it really that much
better for the lawn, and for growing new grass seed??

$3.49 for a 30 pound bag of topsoil seems way too high in price?? I know
that we aren't going back to the $1.19 "unscreened" "Old Castle" one,
filled up with rocks, sticks, junk, and other debris!! So we may just
stick with the "Scotts Premium Organic Mix Topsoil" at $1.99 for 30
pounds??

The only thing is, is that the "Scotts Premium Topsoil" is not a 100%
percent organic topsoil, its just regular topsoil with organic topsoil
and peat moss mixed in?? It is a "screened" topsoil though, so you don't
have to worry about any rocks, sticks, or other debris in there.

Is Ace Hardware way overpriced for the "Majestic-Earth Organic TopSoil"
at $3.49 a bag, or is it worth it???

Any info. would greatly be appreciated!!

Thanks!

First, you need to understand that "topsoil" is a generic term that is
used to describe a very wide range materials. By definition, it is the
top layer of soil (typically down to around 4") that is removed,
generally as the result of construction/development activity. There is
no guarantee that this top layer is any better in quality, substance
or texture than any other soil obtained anywhere else - it could be
devoid of organic matter and therefore soil life, it could be rocky
and filled with roots. It could just as well be fill dirt or
contaminated with all manner of pollutants. Simply because it is
bagged and labeled as "topsoil" is no guarantee that it adds any value
to your garden.

I agree with Victoria that a visit to a soil yard or landscape supply
company may be in order. Or to any retail nurseries in your area that
offer bulk soil products. Look at the material before you buy and
evaluate its components - most suppliers will list what is included.
Avoid anything labeled as simply "topsoil". 3-way planting mixes would
serve your purposes nicely - they are typically some combination of
loam, compost and a textural offering: coarse sand, bark fines or
sometimes sawdust. Or a screened compost. Much of the commercial
compost industry IS highly regulated and you can generally rest
assured that the product you are purchasing has been properly
processed and aged and is free of possible contaminates. Avoid those
small operations that sell from the side of the road or from small
farm lots.......they tend be rather unknown quantities :-)

And you do get what you pay for.......the better the product, the more
it is has been tested and possibly certified, and the more clearly it
is labeled, the greater the cost. Bulk soil will always be far less
expensive than bagged material. Bring your own buckets or burlap bags
or pick-up . Most places will deliver in quantity as well.

You may as well make your own, MICHELLE. The best top soil in the world
will quickly revert to it's non-dissolvable elements as the organic
matter in it breaks down. After the mulch has been seeded (as I have
previously outlined), feed on occasion with "organic" fish emulsion, or
occasionally broadcast some alfalfa pellets on it and the rest of your
lawn, to feed it.
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html