Best Topsoil Nutrients for Promoting Plant Growth

When it comes to the beauty and preservation of your landscape, topsoil is an essential component. The topsoil layer is where water is absorbed, sunlight hits, and where several nutrients are contained that are needed for plant survival. Here, Rock Products, Inc., a leading provider of premium quality landscaping products and services to customers throughout the Garden State since 1995, details the most essential nutrients contained in topsoil for the promotion of plant growth.

What Is Topsoil?

Considered to be the uppermost layer of soil, Topsoil has the highest concentration of organic matter and is where most plant activity takes place. Topsoil generally extends to a depth of 5-10 inches. Since this is where most plants obtain their most vital nutrients, topsoil features a high concentration of roots. Topsoil is naturally produced and is mined and conditioned for use.

Essential Nutrients Found in Topsoil

The nutrients found in topsoil all play a key role in the soil’s fertility. The main nutrients found in topsoil are as follows:

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is an important element in plant growth because it is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants convert sunlight energy into sugars from water and carbon dioxide (photosynthesis). Nitrogen is also a major component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Without nitrogen, plants would not survive.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a vital nutrient in plant growth because of all it does. It plays a key role in photosynthesis, energy storage and transfer, cell division, and more. Phosphorus helps promote healthy root growth, stimulates early root and plant growth, and enhances the quality of fruit, vegetable, and grain crops. The only way for plants to acquire phosphorus is from the soil.

Potassium

Technically classified as a macronutrient, potassium is associated with the movement of water, helping regulate the exchange of water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Potassium also increases plants’ resistance to diseases, as well as helps form and move starches, sugars, and oils. This can improve the quality of crop plants.

Magnesium

Necessary to both plant growth and plant health, magnesium is required by many plant cells to perform properly. The most important role magnesium has is as the central atom in the chlorophyll molecule, which is the pigment that gives plants their green color. The role of magnesium is to also aid in the activation of many plant enzymes needed for growth.

Calcium

Calcium is an essential nutrient in plant health because it’s responsible for contributing to the building of cell walls in plants. Plants that don’t receive sufficient amounts of calcium often have improper cell wall formation causing visual distortion in new growth. Additionally, calcium is important in activating certain enzymes.

Sulfur

Without enough sulfur, plants cannot efficiently use nitrogen and other nutrients to grow to their maximum capabilities. Furthermore, sulfur is needed in the process of acquiring plant proteins, as well as certain plant hormones.

Topsoil Available at Rock Products, Inc.

Good topsoil is needed if plants in your landscape are going to survive. To better serve our customers, we supply several types of topsoil, such as:

Rock Products, Inc. is pleased to provide topsoil products to landscapers, contractors, and homeowners throughout New Jersey. Bulk topsoil can be delivered to your location thanks to our professional freight services. We also have a full lineup of installation tools and accessories to assist you with your DIY projects.

To learn more about the importance of topsoil and the role it plays in the look of your landscape, call us at 856-848-7934 or contact us today.