Does All Topsoil Have Sand in It?

Topsoil is packed with a variety of materials, ranging from regular dirt to silt. Technically speaking, topsoil is any soil that’s on top of the rest of the dirt. This broad definition means your topsoil could have sand, rocks, and all sorts of other debris.

Some topsoils have sand in them because it improves water retention and makes it easier to fill holes with the soil. However, not all topsoil has sand in it. You can choose how much sand is in the topsoil and mix 40% sand, 40% topsoil, and 20% compost for the maximum benefits.

Throughout this article, I’ll cover whether or not your topsoil has sand in it, how most topsoils differ from sand, and how you can tell the difference between sand and soil.

Does Topsoil Have Sand in It?

Topsoil often has sand in it because it’s great for filling holes, holding water, and helping the roots get enough nutrients from the soil. You can use play sand with topsoil or grab a bag of premixed topsoil and sand. Never use too much sand in the topsoil or it’ll cause a variety of drainage issues.

Here’s why people put sand in topsoil:

• Topsoil and sand mixtures are excellent for grading. According to Plant Sod, people often use sand in their topsoil to grade their lawn. You can place a mixture of sand and topsoil on a sloped part of the yard. The compacted soil and sand won’t move, so it’s perfect for gradual gains in elevation.
• Sand helps the topsoil not blow away when it’s windy or rainy. Topsoil is often lightweight (unless it naturally has a high clay content), so it brushes away easily. However, you can add sand to the topsoil to encourage it to compact on the ground.
• You can use topsoil to fill holes in your yard, especially if it has sand in it. The sand helps the filled holes stay level with the rest of the yard. It also prevents the plants’ roots from moving around or breaking from the lightweight topsoil.
• Sand promotes water retention by slowing the rate at which the water soaks below the surface. The goal is to have enough sand to keep the moisture around 4 to 6 inches deep (which is how deep many grass roots go). Make sure the sand doesn’t go over the top of the grass and other plants, though.

Michigan Peat Garden Magic Topsoil combines peat and sand for a moisture-retaining barrier that enriches the soil. It’s great for lawns, trees, and gardens. Each 40-pound bag can be used to fill holes in the lawn, layered on top of the soil, or tilled into the dirt to loosen and hydrate it.

However, not all topsoil has sand in it. Some people confuse these two lawn dressings because they provide similar benefits. That being said, they offer very different attributes when used separately. Let’s discuss their contrast below.

Is Topsoil the Same as Sand?

Topsoil isn’t the same as sand, but sand can be a component of topsoil. Topsoil is made of clay, humus, sand, and many other organic materials. Many people put sand in their topsoil to improve its drainage and water retention. Sand also adds a layer of durability to the topsoil.

The Dirt Bag considers sand to be the same as soil, but it’s not the same as topsoil. Your topsoil can have tons of sand, which drastically reduces the drainage. Too much sand can be detrimental, so it’s best to avoid using 100% sand as topsoil.

In fact, the reduced drainage will encourage too much moisture retention. Your lawn will develop bacteria, which can make the topsoil smell bad. You’ll have to remove most of the sand, use a fungicide, and spend several weeks repairing the lawn.

However, adding about 20% to 40% sand to the topsoil provides excellent benefits (as mentioned above). If you want high-quality sand for your topsoil, try the Pure Organic Ingredients Play Sand. Each five-pound bag can be mixed with topsoil to level, loosen, and hydrate the lawn in the long run.

Are you trying to find out if your topsoil already has sand in it? Too much sand can be problematic, so it’s crucial to know the sand content in your topsoil before adding it to the lawn or garden. Below, I’ll explain how to know if there’s sand in the soil.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Sand and Soil?

To tell the difference between sand and soil, look for crushed rocks and squeeze the soil. Sand is made of granular rocks that won’t compress when you squeeze them. Your soil can have sand in it, so you might find grains of sand in the topsoil mixed with dirt, clay, silt, etc.

Try these suggestions to know what’s in the soil:

1. Sandy soil is usually acidic, so test the pH.
2. Most topsoils with sand are lighter in weight than clay-based soils.
3. Due to the aeration and loose particles, sandy soils are looser than many other soils.
4. Sand-based topsoils are often quickly warmed by the sunlight.
5. Sandy topsoils are granular and gritty (look for the unique rock-like grains).
6. Topsoil with sand in it often forms balls when wet and clumped.
7. Most sandy soil is light brown rather than gray, black, dark red, or dark brown.

Too much topsoil can ruin your lawn or garden. It can also add too much sand to the existing soil. When sand combines with moisture and clay, it turns into a cement-like substance on your lawn. It won’t drain or let the roots push below the surface.

Quick Tip: Use a topsoil spreader to spread the soil and sand mixture throughout the lawn. This machine rotates and mixes the sand and topsoil while you push it. You’ll never have to deal with clumps of sand since they break apart while filtering through the dispensing holes.

For more information about knowing if there’s sand in your sand, watch this helpful video guide: