Topsoil can be improved by remixing it.
image by Mike Berg/stock.xchng
Many areas have topsoils that are not well balanced for gardening or agriculture. Although there are some ways to abate poor soil without completely replacing the topsoil, the best way to create good, healthy topsoil is to remove the existing topsoil and remix it with the missing soil components. A very important aspect of maintaining your new topsoil's health is to regularly rotate garden crops and regularly fertilize the new soil.
Dig 8 to 12 inches of topsoil out of the area to be augmented. Place this soil in a mound.
Sift the topsoil to remove rocks and larger objects. Sifting also allows you to establish the overall composition of your existing topsoil. Make a new pile of your sifted soil.
Analyze the existing contents of your topsoil. Ideally, topsoil should be about a third sand, a third clay and a third silty soil. Add various components to achieve this approximate mix. A combination of a shovel and a garden rake should allow for good, thorough mixing of the components.
Analyze the organic components of your topsoil mix. Topsoil for gardening will have around 20 percent to 30 percent organic matter.
Add organic fertilizer, like compost or cow manure to achieve a good balance of organic and soil matter.
Thoroughly mix the added components with your original sifted soil and shovel it into the area from which you removed the original topsoil. The soil is ready for planting.