The Best Landscaping Soils to Prepare Your Garden for Spring Planting

Spring is the most exciting time of the year for gardening enthusiasts and landscaping professionals. As the weather warms up and days grow longer, it's time to prepare the soil for a new season of planting. Whether you're growing vegetables, designing a new flower bed, or refreshing your landscape, choosing the right landscaping soils will help you achieve a thriving space.

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer high-quality landscaping materials designed to improve soil structure, enhance plant health, and create a beautiful outdoor space. From nutrient-rich compost to moisture-retaining mulch and drainage-improving landscaping sand, the right products can make a big difference in the success of your garden.

Understanding Soil Needs for Spring Planting

Before choosing your soil or mulch bed landscaping products, it's important to check on the current state of your garden soil. The health of your plants depends on good soil structure, nutrient availability, and moisture retention.

Here are some things to consider:

• Soil Texture: Soil can range from sandy to clay-heavy, each affecting drainage and nutrient retention.

• pH Levels: Cornell University notes that “most plants prefer a pH of 6.0 to 7.0”. Testing your soil can help determine if changes are needed.

• Nutrient Content: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential for plant growth. If these nutrients are lacking, compost or fertilizer may be necessary.

• Drainage and Aeration: Compacted soil prevents water absorption and root growth. Adding landscaping sand or organic matter can improve aeration.

Once you've assessed your soil, it's time to gather the best materials for enhancing its quality.

Best Soil Landscaping Products for Spring

Choosing the right materials can set your garden up for a successful growing season. Here are the top landscaping soils from Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center to use for your spring prep:

1. Topsoil – The Foundation of Healthy Growth

Topsoil is the outermost layer of soil, rich in organic matter and nutrients. It serves as the base for a productive garden, helping plants establish strong roots. Whether you're filling raised beds, leveling your yard, or replacing depleted soil, high-quality topsoil is essential.

Look for screened topsoil that’s free of contaminants and debris. Here are some options offered at Kilgore Landscape Center:

• Screened Sandy Loam Topsoil: This medium brown sandy loam topsoil is ideal for laying under sod and establishing new garden areas. It enhances soil structure and provides essential nutrients for plant growth.

• Topsoil Mountain Blend: A custom blend of sandy loam topsoil, peat, composted forest humus, organic compost.

• Topsoil Blend: A premium blend designed to enrich garden beds and landscapes, promoting healthy plant development.

2. Compost – A Natural Soil Booster

Adding compost to your soil enriches it with essential nutrients while improving texture and moisture retention. Compost consists of decomposed organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps, creating a natural fertilizer.

Benefits of compost include:

• Enhancing soil structure for better root growth

• Providing slow-release nutrients for sustained plant health

• Improving water retention, reducing the need for frequent watering

• Encouraging beneficial microorganisms that support plant health

Here are some compost mulch options offered at Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center:

• Premium Organic Compost / Top Dress (OMRI Certified): Blend of composted forest products and black peat moss.

• Nutri-Mulch (Turkey Compost Blend): Custom blend of composted turkey manure, organics and forest products.

3. Mulch – Moisture Retention and Weed Suppression

Applying mulch bed landscaping products is one of the best ways to protect your soil and plants. Mulch keeps moisture in the ground, regulates temperature fluctuations, and suppresses weed growth.

Popular mulch options include:

• Wood chips or bark mulch – Organic, slow-decomposing, and visually appealing

• Shredded leaves – Cost-effective and nutrient-rich

• Straw mulch – Great for vegetable gardens, providing insulation and weed control

• Rock or gravel mulch – Long-lasting and decorative for xeriscaping or pathways

Kilgore Landscape Center offers both black and brown mulch landscaping products at their Salt Lake Landscape Center:

• Mulch - Black Shredded Mulch: This black shredded mulch offers a rich color to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscape while providing the benefits of moisture retention and weed suppression.

• Mulch - Brown Shredded Mulch: A brown shredded mulch that adds a natural look to your garden beds, aiding in moisture conservation and weed control. 

4. Landscaping Sand – Improving Drainage and Aeration

If your soil tends to retain too much water or become compacted, adding landscaping sand can improve drainage. Sand helps loosen dense soil, allowing roots to access oxygen and nutrients more easily.

Common uses for landscaping sand include:

• Mixing into clay-heavy soil to prevent waterlogging

• Creating a stable base for pavers, walkways, or garden beds

• Enhancing drainage in succulent and cacti gardens

• Improving soil aeration for root development

Kilgore offers a few landscaping sand products for pickup or delivery at their Salt Lake Landscape Center:

• Sand - Bedding Sand: Best used as a base material for pavers and other landscaping projects, this bedding sand ensures proper leveling and stability.

• Sand, Beach Sand, Play Sand: Adaptable sand that can be for creating beach-like areas, children's play areas, or even for use in landscaping projects.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Once you've gathered the right landscaping soils, it's time to prepare your garden. Follow these steps to make sure your soil is in top shape before planting.

Step 1: Clear Out Old Plants and Debris

Winter leaves behind dead plants, weeds, and other debris that can hold pests and diseases. Removing old plant material and clearing your garden space allows for better air circulation and stops fungal issues.

Step 2: Test and Amend the Soil

A soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances, and drainage issues. Based on the results, you may need to:

• Adjust pH with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower)

• Add compost or organic fertilizer to replenish nutrients

• Mix in landscaping sand to improve drainage in dense soil

Step 3: Loosen Compacted Soil

Over the winter, soil often becomes compacted, reducing root penetration and water absorption. Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil, adding fresh topsoil and compost for more nutrients.

Step 4: Apply Mulch for Long-Term Benefits

Before planting, spread mulch bed landscaping products around garden beds. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperatures, reducing stress on young plants.

Step 5: Create Raised Beds for Better Control

Raised garden beds allow you to control soil quality, drainage, and weed growth more effectively. Fill them with a mix of high-quality topsoil, compost, and landscaping sand for the best results.

Step 6: Water and Let the Soil Settle

After adding these landscaping materials, water your soil deeply to help settle the new materials. Allow it to rest for a few days before planting, so that all nutrients are evenly distributed.

Why Choose Kilgore Landscape Center?

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we provide professional grade landscaping soils to help homeowners and contractors create beautiful, thriving landscapes. Whether you need mulch bed landscaping products, nutrient-rich compost, premium topsoil, or landscaping sand, we have everything you need to prepare your garden for spring planting.

Benefits of Shopping with Us:

• High-quality, locally sourced landscaping materials

• Expert advice on selecting the best products for your project

• Bulk options for large-scale landscaping and gardening needs

• Convenient delivery services within a 50 mile radius 

Preparing your garden for spring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using the right soil landscaping products and following right techniques, you can create a low-maintenance landscape that grows all season long.

Stop by Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center today and let us help you get ready for the best spring planting season yet!