Topsoil is quite literally the “top soil”, the upper layer of soil which is defined as the first two to twelve inches of soil (regardless of which of the many soil types it is) and is measured from the surface to the first densely packed layer of subsoil.
This top layer, also known as surface soil, is where the majority of plants lay most of their roots; they generally do not extend their roots lower than the topsoil layer because it contains an abundance of microorganisms, organic matter, humus and nutrients, basically everything they require to thrive! The nutrients in the soil dissolve in water making it easy for roots to absorb.
Topsoil is an important, fundamental resource. Without it the human race could not exist. We rely on topsoil to provide a growing medium for all our food and environmental resources. Living matter – plants, trees and grass cannot sustain or survive without it.