Soil Differences

[LouisFerdinand]

Is potting soil used just to get the seeds started?

Could top soil be used to get the seeds started?

What is the difference between potting soil and top soil?

 

[DirtMechanic]

Is potting soil used just to get the seeds started?

Could top soil be used to get the seeds started?

What is the difference between potting soil and top soil?

1) No. Potting soil often contains fertilizer which is NOT used by seeds and can hurt tender sprouts. A version called seed starting mix is basically potting soil sans fertilizer

2)Yes. Mother says so.

3) The main difference would generally be airspace also known as drainage. Topsoils can become dramatically denser after disturbance due to the granular makeup allowing a tighter packing as rainfall runs through. Potting soil typically has much more inert organic matter that resists such packing though by the second or third year it will be breaking down and packing tighter itself. Drainage is key in a pot as only the top and the bottom allow any oxygen to the root and thus the airspace need be extreme compared to open topsoil just to make up for the comparative loss.

 

[River]

In addition potting soil is organic matter only. It might be various types mixed in.