hardminder
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2021
- Messages
- 23
Hi, after I chose to go for topsoil for my substrate (added with other things like clay and sand), I found out that there was confusion around the term ''topsoil'' and rightfully so. ''Topsoil'' is a catch-all label that doesn't say much. It is like saying pasta sauce. Now is alfredo, marinara and bolognese the same thing? Would you use any interchangeably? No. I already have significant knowledge of soils being an amateur gardener and all but that doesn't always apply to a vivarium does it? So I went to research on the matter for quite a while and that's what I found, understood, and concluded. I thought I would share it with you guys ( please be indulgent towards my English, it is not my first language):
Topsoil in nature: the topsoil layer in nature is, well, the top layer of soil. It is rich in organic decayed matter (humus) and its composition might vary greatly depending on your geographical location.
Store bagged topsoil: bagged topsoils are mixtures of different components to replicate natural topsoil. You can also find bagged topsoil that is actual natural topsoil, sometimes called native topsoil. But generally speaking, bagged topsoil could be a mixture of any of those components in various amounts and quality: peat moss, sphagnum moss, black earth, compost, rice hulls, processed forest product, humus, sand, clay, ash, perlite, etc.
Some topsoils will have some or all of the ''Big 3'' fertilizers added; nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. That is commonly advised against in vivariums.
Often, the soil that has processed forest product added (wood) in greater amount will be called gardening soil and it will likely include compost. It can include wood from various sources, including palettes and coniferous essence that is likely not suitable for inverts, from what I could read on the boards.
Compost: compost can vary in composition, but it is mostly made of animal manure, shrimp shells, food waste. It is that type of organic matter, in an advanced, but still ongoing, decaying process. I saw many people here advising against it in substrate even planted and bioactive. I would agree but I am very new to the hobby. This post isn't about what soil to use, it's about what is soil. BUT...it seems like there is some contradiction too. More on that later.
Humus: humus is ''done compost''. It is fully decomposed stable organic matter. As mentioned above, this is what constitutes a lot of topsoils in nature. A lot of bagged topsoils include humus. If there is native soil, there is humus. If you see a description that goes something like ''rich in organic matter'' that's probably humus. You could conclude that it is perfectly fine to have it in a soil mix used in vivarium; it's just organically rich soil.
Now... I've seen the Eartgro topsoil receiving a lot of love, Scott's premium topsoil, Westland, etc.
These 3 topsoils composition descriptions go as follows:
Eartgro Topsoil: Regionally formulated from organic and inorganic materials derived from one or more of the following: peat, forest products, compost, ash, sand, or native soil.
So to summer it up, it could but not necessarily have compost, wood from any source, and humus which is a part of most native soil. Also, native soil could include a myriad of unidentifiable components. So is compost a big no-no or not? Eartgrow soil composition will vary depending on where you buy it, geographically.
Scott's Premium Topsoil: Description: Scotts Premium Topsoil contains sphagnum peat moss and organic matter to condition the soil in your lawn or garden.
Ingredients: this product is regionally formulated from (one or more of the following: peat, processed forest product, rice hulls, native soil, food waste, and/or compost) and sphagnum peat moss.
To summer up: The only thing you're certain to find in this is sphagnum peat moss and at least another or more of the other mentioned ingredients. There could be compost, humus, and wood from a different source.
Westland Topsoil: I couldn't find an ingredient list but the description goes like that:
Specially selected rich clay loam soil with a high humus content which retains nutrients and moisture, making it ideal for use all around the garden.
This soil has been sieved to remove stones and debris and heat sterilized to kill off weed seeds.
Westland Top Soil has a balanced clay, silt and sand composition with plenty of organic matter providing good structural stability under all weather conditions.
So, humus clay and sand obviously but the ''plenty of organic matter'' is subject to interpretation. Wood and compost could be present, we jst don't know.
So, to conclude; saying topsoil is not like saying coco fiber or perlite, it varies greatly in composition. Just know that you might and will most certainly achieve different results depending on what you're buying. Know what you want, what to search for, and what you're reading. About the compost, despite people advising against compost, it is most likely but not necessarily, in some of your favorite topsoil mixes. Now, would it be wise to go for a mix that clearly states ''compost-enriched''? You'd be the judge. About wood, coniferous essence might also be present in your favorite topsoil mix, does it mean you should avoid that type of soil? Probably not, everyone seems to enjoy it. Now should you go for garden topsoil openly full of wood particles? You'd be the judge.
The ammount of clay, sand, perlite, black earth will affect soil properties.
The only things that should clearly and unanimously be avoided is added fertilizer, the Big 3: NPK. But again, that doesn't mean any topsoil mix is created equal and has the same properties.
Feel free to chip in or ask questions. I can answer some but I am learning too.
Topsoil in nature: the topsoil layer in nature is, well, the top layer of soil. It is rich in organic decayed matter (humus) and its composition might vary greatly depending on your geographical location.
Store bagged topsoil: bagged topsoils are mixtures of different components to replicate natural topsoil. You can also find bagged topsoil that is actual natural topsoil, sometimes called native topsoil. But generally speaking, bagged topsoil could be a mixture of any of those components in various amounts and quality: peat moss, sphagnum moss, black earth, compost, rice hulls, processed forest product, humus, sand, clay, ash, perlite, etc.
Some topsoils will have some or all of the ''Big 3'' fertilizers added; nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. That is commonly advised against in vivariums.
Often, the soil that has processed forest product added (wood) in greater amount will be called gardening soil and it will likely include compost. It can include wood from various sources, including palettes and coniferous essence that is likely not suitable for inverts, from what I could read on the boards.
Compost: compost can vary in composition, but it is mostly made of animal manure, shrimp shells, food waste. It is that type of organic matter, in an advanced, but still ongoing, decaying process. I saw many people here advising against it in substrate even planted and bioactive. I would agree but I am very new to the hobby. This post isn't about what soil to use, it's about what is soil. BUT...it seems like there is some contradiction too. More on that later.
Humus: humus is ''done compost''. It is fully decomposed stable organic matter. As mentioned above, this is what constitutes a lot of topsoils in nature. A lot of bagged topsoils include humus. If there is native soil, there is humus. If you see a description that goes something like ''rich in organic matter'' that's probably humus. You could conclude that it is perfectly fine to have it in a soil mix used in vivarium; it's just organically rich soil.
Now... I've seen the Eartgro topsoil receiving a lot of love, Scott's premium topsoil, Westland, etc.
These 3 topsoils composition descriptions go as follows:
Eartgro Topsoil: Regionally formulated from organic and inorganic materials derived from one or more of the following: peat, forest products, compost, ash, sand, or native soil.
So to summer it up, it could but not necessarily have compost, wood from any source, and humus which is a part of most native soil. Also, native soil could include a myriad of unidentifiable components. So is compost a big no-no or not? Eartgrow soil composition will vary depending on where you buy it, geographically.
Scott's Premium Topsoil: Description: Scotts Premium Topsoil contains sphagnum peat moss and organic matter to condition the soil in your lawn or garden.
Ingredients: this product is regionally formulated from (one or more of the following: peat, processed forest product, rice hulls, native soil, food waste, and/or compost) and sphagnum peat moss.
To summer up: The only thing you're certain to find in this is sphagnum peat moss and at least another or more of the other mentioned ingredients. There could be compost, humus, and wood from a different source.
Westland Topsoil: I couldn't find an ingredient list but the description goes like that:
Specially selected rich clay loam soil with a high humus content which retains nutrients and moisture, making it ideal for use all around the garden.
This soil has been sieved to remove stones and debris and heat sterilized to kill off weed seeds.
Westland Top Soil has a balanced clay, silt and sand composition with plenty of organic matter providing good structural stability under all weather conditions.
So, humus clay and sand obviously but the ''plenty of organic matter'' is subject to interpretation. Wood and compost could be present, we jst don't know.
So, to conclude; saying topsoil is not like saying coco fiber or perlite, it varies greatly in composition. Just know that you might and will most certainly achieve different results depending on what you're buying. Know what you want, what to search for, and what you're reading. About the compost, despite people advising against compost, it is most likely but not necessarily, in some of your favorite topsoil mixes. Now, would it be wise to go for a mix that clearly states ''compost-enriched''? You'd be the judge. About wood, coniferous essence might also be present in your favorite topsoil mix, does it mean you should avoid that type of soil? Probably not, everyone seems to enjoy it. Now should you go for garden topsoil openly full of wood particles? You'd be the judge.
The ammount of clay, sand, perlite, black earth will affect soil properties.
The only things that should clearly and unanimously be avoided is added fertilizer, the Big 3: NPK. But again, that doesn't mean any topsoil mix is created equal and has the same properties.
Feel free to chip in or ask questions. I can answer some but I am learning too.
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