What’s the Difference Between Topsoil, Triple Mix and Compost?
Walk into a landscape supply yard and “soil” suddenly becomes a much bigger category than you expected. Topsoil, triple mix, compost... they may look similar at first glance, but they’re designed to do different jobs.
Choosing the right one can make a big difference in how well your lawn or garden performs. Here’s a simple breakdown.
What Is Topsoil?
Topsoil is screened soil that is commonly used for grading, preparing areas for sod and topdressing lawns.
Screening helps remove larger rocks, roots and debris, creating a more consistent material that is easier to spread and grade.
Use topsoil for:
Preparing a base before installing sod
Filling and levelling low areas
Grading around your property
Topdressing lawn areas
General landscaping where you need additional soil
Think of topsoil as the foundation soil. If you're creating the base for a lawn or adjusting the grade of an area, this is generally where you start.
What Is Triple Mix?
Triple mix is designed specifically as a garden soil.
It combines screened topsoil, compost and sand to create a nutrient-rich growing medium with a good balance of organic matter, soil structure and drainage.
Use triple mix for:
New garden beds
Flower gardens
Perennial gardens
Planting shrubs
Raised garden areas
Refreshing established beds
If you're creating an area where plants will actually be growing, triple mix is often the better choice over straight topsoil.
What Is Ploughman’s Mix?
Ploughman’s Mix is a composted manure intended to add nutrients and organic matter to existing garden soil.
Rather than using it as your primary soil, think of it as an amendment. It can be worked into garden beds to improve the soil and replenish organic matter.
Use Ploughman’s Mix for:
Amending existing garden soil
Preparing garden beds for planting
Adding organic matter
Refreshing tired garden beds
Improving soil before a new growing season
It can be especially useful when your garden already has plenty of soil but could benefit from a nutrient and organic matter boost.
So, Which Soil Do You Need?
The easiest way to decide is to start with the job.
Installing sod or grading? Choose topsoil.
Creating a new garden or planting bed? Choose triple mix.
Want to improve the soil already in your garden? Add Ploughman’s Mix.
And if you're standing there thinking, “I have absolutely no idea how many yards of this I need,” that’s where we come in.
Tell the Zwart’s team what you’re working on, and we can help you choose the right material for the job.
Zwart’s Topsoil + Landscape Supplies Ltd.
496907 Grey Road 2, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
519-599-1027
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