Screened Topsoil
Screened vs Unscreened
The Differences between Screened and Unscreened Topsoil
What Is Screened Topsoil and Why Choose It?
Screened topsoil is high-quality soil that has been mechanically processed through a mesh or screen to remove debris like rocks, roots, and large clumps. The result is a fine, consistent soil that’s easy to spread and perfect for planting, seeding, or grading.
Unscreened topsoil is raw soil that hasn't been filtered. This is good for filling low spots before capping with screened topsoil.
At face value, the major benefit and difference of screened topsoil over unscreened topsoil is that the material will be easier to apply and handle since the screening process will remove the chunks, sticks and stones to the size of screen used to screen.
Another benefit is that the soil consistency is more uniform. During the screening process most of the materials will be blended and mixed better during the process. The process will provide the user with a product that can be amended uniformly if desired with products like lime, fertilizer, compost, seed and expect uniform results.
When consumers commonly think of screened topsoil in our local market in Anchorage Alaska, they are more than likely referring to screened peat moss with added sandy loam. This product is more of a modified topsoil that is blended as well.
We at American landscaping run our blended topsoil material through a 3/8” – 1/2” screen for lawn grade product. This product is referred to as lawn topsoil or “A” grade topsoil. This soil meets or exceeds our local municipal specifications for topsoil for the following, by weight or volume:
Organic content
Silt Content
Sand/gravel content and size gradation
Ph level
What Is Screened Topsoil Used For?
People often ask, what is screened topsoil used for? The answer: just about everything in landscaping. From garden beds and lawns to large-scale commercial projects, screened topsoil provides a clean, nutrient-rich base for healthy plants. It promotes proper drainage, supports root growth, and creates a smooth, level surface.
Class “B” Soil
Class “B” soil is generally the same as the aforementioned. This product is intended to be used in a larger volume or erosion control and also in deeper planting beds that will then be covered with various mulches like our hemlock bark mulch or rock mulch. We run class “B” through a larger screen to increase production time and lower the cost of the product, making it more affordable in large volumes. The product will still meet the municipal spec for organics, silt, sand/gravel, and Ph. The sieve size will not be met for lawn-grade soil. State/DOT specifications are much more liberal and almost any soil sieved through a 3” screen will meet the specifications.
We use compost that we make locally at our facility, with green waste we collect from our, and other local landscape and tree professionals. We monitor incoming material for undesirable or foreign material.
Our compost does not contain manure.
Our Red Hemlock bulk mulch is a 100% dye-free product of a pulp mill. We have been utilizing the bark mulch from this pulp mill for over 30 years. The product is uniform and consistent with what you will find in a bag at any and all large retailers throughout North America, but at a fraction of the price.
By nature, our Red Hemlock bulk mulch does not contain the nitrogen-robbing qualities of fresh wood chips, and is therefore more suitable for growing.
Need Compost Too?
In addition to topsoil, we sell compost, which is organic matter that has been filtered to remove large particles, creating a fine, nutrient-rich amendment for soil. Mix it with your screened topsoil to supercharge your garden or landscaping project.
American Landscaping proudly diverts over 30 MILLION POUNDS (15,000 tons) ANNUALLY from landfills and disposal sites in its manufacturing of topsoil, compost and bark mulch products.